Place Duminda Silva Under Arrest – Bharatha’s Family

“We will continue to seek justice for Bharatha”

The sister of slain Presidential Advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, has vowed to seek justice for her brother and says the family will take Bharatha’s assassination to the international 

community.
In an interview with The Sunday Leader, Swarna Gunaratna states that since the family does not have faith in the ongoing investigations, worldwide petitions and campaigns will soon be launched until those responsible for the murder are arrested.

Following are excerpts of the interview -

Q: It has been almost two weeks since your brother Bharatha Lakshman was killed. Is the family satisfied with the ongoing investigations into his murder    Read More »>>>

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President’s saffron robe donating pooja at Sri Maha Bodhi for and on behalf of Duminda

(Lanka-e-News -16.Oct.2011, 11.55P.M.) President Mahinda Rajapakse performed a saffron robe handing over pooja at the Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi invoking blessings for the speedy recovery of kudu Duminda Silva who murdered Bharatha Lakshman and is now undergoing treatment at the Jayawardena Hospital. He has also allegedly implored the deity to solve Duminda’s criminal problems. Full story >>  =============================== Criminal Governance » Impunity lies at the heart of the Kolonnawa killings “A… Sunday, October 16, 2011 By Tisaranee Gunasekara Impunity lies at the heart of the Kolonnawa killings “A foul, dishonourable crew….” Giaccomo Leopardi (To Angelo Mai III) By Tisaranee Gunasekara In the Rajapaksa Security State, insecurity is the common condition of the rest of us… Impunity makes jungles out of civilised societies, where the big and the powerful prey on those smaller andRead More »

Dutch court convicts 5 Tamils, says LTTE not "terrorist"

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 October 2011, 01:42 GMT]
The Hague district court, by refusing to brand Liberation Tigers as a "terrorist" organization, defied the current European Union policy, but convicted five Tamil naturalized dutch citizens to prison terms for using "nonviolent threats to force Tamil exiles to donate to the Tigers." The Dutch decision, in addition to being a "significant public relations victory for the Tigers" will also be critical to the on-going case in the European Court of Justice to overturn the 2006 decision by the EU to put the Tamil Tigers on the terror list, the Washington Post said. Victor Koppe, attorney for one of the defendants, said he would appeal the convictions.

The prison terms ranged from 2 years to 6 years. Selliah, the book keeper of collected funds outside Sri Lanka, received the longest prison term, according to reports.

The court said the Tigers’ 26-year battle for an independent Tamil state, which cost an estimated 100,000 lives, was a “non-international armed conflict.” That means that any atrocities committed by either side should be classified as war crimes or crimes against humanity, and not terror attacks, according to the Washington Post.

“For the LTTE, this is a very good judgment,” Koppe told The Associated Press after the verdict. “It will be Exhibit A in the LTTE procedure in Luxembourg [EU Court of Justice].”

Tamil cirlces said that the Dutch decision also vindicated the then Senator Hilary Clinton's statement on Tigers to the British Guardian where she said, "I believe that terrorism is a tool that has been utilized throughout history to achieve certain objectives. Some have been ideological, others territorial. There are personality-driven terroristic objectives. The bottom line is, you can't lump all terrorists together. And I think we've got to do a much better job of clarifying what are the motivations, the raisons d'être of terrorists. I mean, what the Tamil Tigers are fighting for in Sri Lanka, or the Basque separatists in Spain, or the insurgents in al-Anbar province may only be connected by tactics. They may not share all that much in terms of what is the philosophical or ideological underpinning. And I think one of our mistakes has been painting with such a broad brush, which has not been particularly helpful in understanding what it is we were up against when it comes to those who pursue terrorism for whichever ends they're seeking."

A spokesperson for Tamils Against Genocide (TAG), a US-based activist group, said: "If the Dutch case is a harbinger of future legal decisions, the post-9/11 cloud of terrorism which mischaracterized the aim and objectives of the thirty-year old Tamil national liberation struggle is receding.

"The Dutch Court's legal classification of the war as a non-international armed conflict, and not part of the Global War on Terror, raises far-reaching questions concerning the legality of counter-terrorism efforts taken by actors in the international community in Sri Lanka on a broad range of issues, from terrorism-based detentions in New York to war crimes in Mullivaikaal to Tamil asylum claims in Japan and Thailand.

"A continuation of earlier rulings in Australia and the United Kingdom sympathetic to Tamil defendants, and which also questioned the State violence, the Dutch ruling provides a basis with the force of customary international law to reject Sri Lankan justifications for war crimes and crimes against humanity that arise from domestic counter-terrorism instruments," TAG said of the Dutch Court decision.

Related Articles:
14.08.11   UK, Netherlands join fight against Koppe's EU Court filing

External Links:

BBC:		Dutch court convicts five for Tamil Tiger fundraising
Guardian:		'You can't lump all terrorists together'
WP:		Court convicts 5 Dutch Tamils of fundraising for Tamil Tigers but acquits them of terror links

Consequences of Tamil genocide engulf entire island: Bahu

Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 October 2011, 12:44 GMT]
The regime of state terror, which started in the Tamil homeland has now become a menace everywhere in the island. The state terrorism, created on the basis of Sinhala chauvinism, is for a purpose; that is to assist certain neo liberal forces involved in plunder of resources, said Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne, the general secretary of the NSSP, who took oath as the newly elected Democratic Peoples Front (DPF) member for the Dehiwala Mount Lavinia municipal council on Friday. “So-called development of the government is based on displacement of people and plunder of resources. While people are pushed out of their traditional habitat land, marine resources, minerals and earth resources, forest, water resources etc., are taken over by the neo liberal developers. World powers that supported the genocidal war are happy and satisfied about the situation,” Dr. Karunaratne further said.     
 Full story >>
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  The Washington Post

Court convicts 5 Dutch Tamils of fundraising for Tamil Tigers but acquits them of terror links

US concerned about growing Chinese military influence on Sri Lanka

October 21, 2011

by Zacki Jabbar

The United States of America was concerned about the growing Chinese influence including military ties with Sri Lanka, visiting US Republican Congressman Jack Kingston said in Colombo on Thursday.

Asked at a press conference in Colombo, as to how the USA which was earlier one of Sri Lanka’s closet allies felt about being distanced due to improved Sri Lanka-China bilateral relations including trade and military cooperation, Kingston who represents the State of Georgia admitted that America viewed the situation with a great deal of concern.

The growing Chinese military presence in the Indian Ocean was the most worrying, he noted.

Questioned as to how the USA planned to neutralise the increasing Chinese prescence, the congressman said that the historic ties between Sri Lanka and America which had encompassed many areas including trade, politicial and military cooperation should be strengthened.

Sri Lanka’s geographical location was important from a military standpoint and it was imperative that America does not lose sight of that fact, he observed.

Kingston, said that even though the LTTE had been physically defeated, it was still active in various parts of the world through front organizations and needs to addressed.

Kingston, was part of a three member US Congressional delegation comprising Republican Party members headed by Albert Benjamin Chandler and Joseph Heath Schuler who were here on fact finding tour, to assess the Sri Lankan governments post war rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation efforts, on the invitation of Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Mexico and the US Julia Wickramasuriya.

Chandler, who represents the North Carolina State said that human rights issues were important, but a balanced view had to be taken following the end of a near thirty year old war, during which a deadly terror outfit had been defeated.

There was no easy solution to a conflict that had lasted so long, but it was imperative that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation process was implemented, he observed when questioned about war crimes allegations that had been levelled against the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime.

"We understand that the Sri Lankan government is to submit its reply to the UN in November, but that is not a matter that concerns us at this point in time."

They had visited the North and several other areas and also met President Mahinda Rajapaksa, government and opposition leaders and the Defence Secretary and discussed a whole range of issues including rehabilitation, housing, fishing and other livelihood measures, Chandler said.

"We were impressed with the post war development that is taking place", the delegation members said adding that they would individually submit their views and suggestions to the American government including the potential for trade and investments.

The USA, he said would continue to assist and also invest in Sri Lanka, while continuing the ban on the LTTE.

Jaliya Wickremassuriya said that the Sri Lankan government having defeated the LTTE would secure the rights of the Tamils and the internally displaced people.

Police record rape of 5 kids

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The police media unit said today that it had received complaints yesterday and today of five young children being raped at separate locations.

According to the police, in one incident a 10 and 11 year old were raped by three men in Morawaka and two of the suspects have been arrested.

The two young girls are sisters and the suspects were employed at a plantation field with the parents of the two girls.

The owner of the plantation field has also been named as a suspect and is absconding arrest. The two girls have been admitted to the Matara hospital.

In another incident in Wilgamuwa a 9 year old girl and 7 year old boy were raped by a man who has later been arrested and produced in court.

The police media unit also said that in Belliatta a 9 year old child was raped by her uncle. Investigations had later revealed that the uncle had raped her over a period of one year. The suspect was produced in court and remanded.
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Murderer and criminal Duminda came aiming the pistol first at me – former PC Minister Hector discloses

People like Duminda wearing earrings , and who led a wayward life are only in President’s fond embrace now

(Lanka-e-News -22.Oct.2011, 3.30PM) Former Western provincial Council (WPC) member Hector Bethmage said , some years ago , Murderer Duminda first came to murder him aiming the pistol . Hector Bethmage making an special announcement to Lanka e news stated , Duminda’s previous criminal propensities are on record even in courts. Over the criminal charge when he attempted to murder him , Duminda was remanded for one month by the judge at that time, Ms. Champani , Bethmage added. When such criminals who were leading lives of debauchery and barbarity ought to have been eradicated from politics and such criminal politics should be nipped in the bud at that time, the JVP and Renuka Perera instead brought a no confidence motion against him , Bethmage lamented. But now Renuka and them are facing the evil fallouts of their actions, he pointed out . Bethmage said , on the day Bharatha made his last speech , he spoke to him. The amount of work Bharatha fondly called as ‘ Lucky aiya’ did for the SLFP had been forgotten by many today. He was the one who took the initiative to form the Alliance Govt. When President Chandrika had no way to print the gazette notification dissolving the UNP at that time , it was Bharatha who came forward and said ‘ madam , if you cant, entrust that task to me I will print the gazette notification’. After Chandrika gave him that responsibility , Bharatha within a few hours had the printed gazette notification and handed over 50 copies. It was after that notification , Ranil Wickremesinghe who was the Premier then was dismissed and the UNP was dissolved . It was thereafter elections were held which enabled the Alliance Govt . to be successfully formed, Bethmage recalled.

Hector Bethmage speaking further blamed those who first took barbaric Duminda who was wearing earrings at that time running a ‘kothu kade’ (roti boutique) and leading a wayward aimless life to the President. Now the President is surrounded by such sordid unscrupulous UNP ers who crossed over to the Govt. to fulfill their selfish personal agendas. Of course there are also UNPers engaged in gentleman politics , but these UNPers are barbaric discards and rejects of the people , he observed .

Dhanasiri Amaratunge who Mayor of Dehiwala , Galkissa is one such individual . In the days gone by , it was Dhanasiri’s father Wilbert Mudalali who abducted Professor Beultjens at the behest of Gamini Dissanayake. Latter as a reciprocal gesture for doing his bidding , sent Wilbert Mudalalai’s son Dhanasiri Amaratnge to USA , at that time , Bethmage revealed . Lakshman Hulugalla is another of those unscrupulous shameless UNPers who took similar barbaric , unscrupulous and debauched characters to the President , Bethmage elaborated.

An uncomplicated killing?

Saturday 22 October 2011    krishnangm

“That man is a hero – whoever he is”, said the man from the National Transitional Council. “There is no question of prosecuting anyone even if it was a deliberate assassination”, said his colleague. The two men were explaining how Libya is answering the call to explain what happened to Colonel Gaddafi as best it can.An investigation is to be done, a report to be written. But the point, they explained, is simply to tell the Libyan people what happened not to hold anyone to account. Even these officials did not seem to believe the Prime Minister’s early claim that Gaddafi had been caught in crossfire. The pictures showing him alive, his dragging through the street and then the bullet wounds to the head all suggest the obvious – and knew it. So it seems unlikely the person who put that hole in the head will be named officially – and if he is nobody in the NTC will question why he did it.

The celebratory gunfire, the crowds,the fireworks over Green Square, the cars tooting their horns and graffiti going up around town all say the same thing. No matter how much they intended to see through “due process”, put the man on trial and make him account for his actions his death is a much simpler thing to deal with. It will let Libya move on more quickly, there will be no dragging out of a trial, no wrangling over where it should be held and under what legal system. It is not, they suggest, that Gaddafi’s continued life would have been a threat to Libya – just a drag.

If there are questions about the morality of killing – even a man so widely regarded as a cruel and exploitative tyrant – they will it seems have to wait for private moments. There still seems to be a sense of disbelief and shock, rather than internal conflict. And if your family members had disappeared, or been arrested, or beaten or if you had lived in fear who is to say what you would have done in the same moment, a gun at hand? Officially, and with wide public support it seems, it is a time to rejoice in a very public tyrannicide
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Questions emerge about Gaddafi's death

Channel 4 News midday summary

Friday 21 October  

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Gaddafi killed as Libya's revolt claims hometown

(Reuters) - Muammar Gaddafi was killed on Thursday as Libya's new leaders declared they had overrun the last bastion of his long rule, sparking wild celebrations that eight months of war may finally be over. ====================================

We may also die like dogs on the road at the hands of Gota’s murder gangs -Minister reveals conspiracy to kill Bharatha

Full story >>>

Tony Birtley recounts Gaddafi's capture

AlJazeeraEnglish on Oct 21, 2011


Libya's National Transitional Council has delayed the burial for Muammar Gaddafi in order to arrange a secret location and allow for an investigation into his death, officials say.

On Friday, as videos continued to surface showing the fugitive deposed leader being captured alive by a crowd of NTC fighters, the United Nations' human rights office called for an investigation into how he died.

Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley reporting from the location of incident, recounts the moments that lead to his capture.

123,000 fall below poverty line in Batticaloa district

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 October 2011, 18:58 GMT]
20.5 percent of the population in the Batticaloa district in the Eastern Province is beyond the poverty line, according to Sri Lankan Central Bank Advisor of the Poverty Abolishment Programme, R.Sri Pathmanathan. At an event held in Batticaloa last week, Mr. Sri Pathmanathan said Batticaloa district was one of the 14 poverty stricken districts in the island. The districts of Ki'linochchi, Vavuniyaa and Mullaiththeevu have not been included in the study, he said. 

The population of the Batticaloa district is about 600,000.

Sri Lanka is one of 149 countries that had signed a UN convention in 2004 with the assurance that poverty in the island could be reduced to half in five years’ period by the end of 2015.

But the level of poverty level has been increasing even after seven years.

3.9 percent people in Colombo district are living under poverty line.
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October 21, 2011

Australia's PM says regional relationships are very strong

Presenter: Joanna McCarthy, Canberra correspondent
Speaker: Julia Gillard, Australian Prime Minister


Australia's PM says regional relationships are very strong (Audio)

• Listen:
 
• Windows Media

GILLARD: The aims for this meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government are really three-fold. First to talk about the role of the Commonwealth in the age in which we live and how we can strengthen it for the future. Second, to focus on development. Of course, the Commonwealth has within it both developed and developing nations, so important questions like food security will be on the agenda. And third, of course, we want to make sure that this Commonwealth meeting has a focus on women as agents of change, that'll be a big part of the program that goes alongside the actual leaders of government meetings.

McCARTHY: Now Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse is attending. Will you publicly be calling for an international war crimes tribunal on Sri Lanka and following the lead of Canada and Britain?    Full Story>>>

UNICEF supports efforts to reunite families in post-conflict Sri Lanka

UNICEF

By Sarah Crowe

VAVUNIYA, Sri Lanka, 20 OCTOBER 2011- No words are needed. No translations. Her face, her gestures speak a language known across the world - a language of pain, of loss, yet somehow still of human hope. Bent double at 91 years of age, Meenadchy was left for dead in the chaos of the final stages of Sri Lanka’s 27 year war. In peace she longs for one thing: her missing granddaughter.

VIDEO: UNICEF correspondent Sarah Crowe reports on families waiting to be reunited with their children who have been missing since the conflict in Sri Lanka. Watch in RealPlayer

“My granddaughter was so wonderful, tall and smart, always helping with everything I needed,” said 91-year-old Meenadchy Sellthurai.

Meenadchy’s daughter, Sarojinidevi Thissaveerasingam, 59, explained that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) took her daughter. “She came back after a few days but they took her away again,” she said.

Full Story>>> 

Last Rites Of A Slain Politician

Friday, October 21, 2011

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

Supporters mourn the loss of their leader and A grieving family

Fingers have been pointed at senior government and SLFP members for ignoring the long standing feud between senior SLFP member Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and UPFA Colombo District parliamentarian Duminda Silva that finally resulted in a gun battle on election day that killed four persons including Premachandra.
The President who attended a function at Anuradhapura Madya Vidyalaya for distribution of prizes did not earlier have in his agenda a visit to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi , and this change of program was suddenly decided, reports say.

The President’s media unit says, he worshipped the Sri Maha Bodhi only.

Full story >> 

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President’s saffron robe donating pooja at Sri Maha Bodhi for and on behalf of Duminda

(Lanka-e-News -16.Oct.2011, 11.55P.M.) President Mahinda Rajapakse performed a saffron robe handing over pooja at the Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi invoking blessings for the speedy recovery of kudu Duminda Silva who murdered Bharatha Lakshman and is now undergoing treatment at the Jayawardena Hospital. He has also allegedly implored the deity to solve Duminda’s criminal problems. Full story >>  =============================== We may also die like dogs on the road at the hands of Gota’s murder gangs -Minister reveals conspiracy to kill Bharatha Full story >>