MaRa regime prefers Fox as custodian for fowls : Entrusts stock exchange to Dr. Nalaka
(Lanka-e-News -29.Aug.2012, 8.00PM) The MaRa Govt. has in characteristic style has handed over the fowls to the fox, to be dealt with in the way the fox desires. Dr. Nalaka Godahewa has been appointed as the Chairman of the Security Exchange Commission that has been established to monitor the transactions in the stock market . At the same time , Priyantha Fernando and Sujeewa Mudalige have also been appointed as members of the Commission. This has been disclosed by an official notification yesterday night (28) .

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Mafia trying to appoint Nalaka to fill vacancy created by Thilak

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

The stock market mafia is trying to get Nalaka Godahewa appointed as the new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman to fill the vacancy created by Thilak Karunaratne’s resignation.

Nalaka Godahewa is currently the head of the Tourism Promotions Board that is under the purview of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Thilak Karunaratne and Nalaka Godahewa are old boys of Ananda College.

Godahewa was introduced to the political scene by well known casino businessman Dhammika Perera. They are both from Ananda College’s 1984 batch.

Godahewa was appointed as an advisor to the Board of Investments (BoI) when Transport Ministry Secretary and casino king Dhammika Perera was appointed as the head of the Board. Godahewa held the post of Managing Director of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation before that and was removed after millionaire businessman Harry Jayawardena took over the Corporation.

Once the Insurance Corporation was taken back by the government, Dhammika Perera took measures to get Godahewa re-appointed as the head of the Corporation. However, it was a member of the stock market mafia, Dilith Jayaweera who introduced Godahewa to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

They were later involved in many irregular transactions in the Colombo Stock Exchange and it was Godahewa and Jayaweera who managed to acquire Colombo Land that owns Liberty Plaza.

Godahewa also helped Jayaweera in many irregular transactions in the stock market through Jayaweera’s Divesa Investments. Godahewa has also helped Dhammika Perera and well-known racketeer, Nimal Perera in many of their irregular stock transactions.

Godahewa had carried out many irregular transactions for Dhammika Perera when he served as an advisor to the BoI.

In this backdrop, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has objected to moves to get Godahewa appointed to head the SEC and has proposed the name of former IGP Chandra Fernando to the post.

Meanwhile, Godahewa, Dhammika Perera and Dilith Jayaweera have been accused of secretly supporting former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka during the last Presidential election.

It has now been revealed that Jayaweera, who handled the President’s campaign at the last Presidential election, had left the country during the period of the election stating he had to attend to his wife’s medical requirements due to an agreement reached with Fonseka.

The Defence Secretary took measures to chase away Priyantha and Roshantha Kariyapperuma after they were found to have met with Fonseka during the Presidential election campaign. Footage from the CCTV cameras in Fonseka’s office revealed the Kariyapperuma brothers meeting Fonseka.

However, Godahewa, Jayaweera and Perera continue to be in the First Family’s circle since they help launder monies for the Rajapaksas.

Godahewa has openly said that he had supported Fonseka since he was related to him and because they hail from the same hometown. As for Dhammika Perera and Nimal Perera, it is now a well known fact that their monies were taken to Fonseka by a Muslim potlican in the opposition.

Far-sightedness essential for a stable Sri Lanka

TUESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2012
By Ayesha Zuhair

Q: What are your views on the Action Plan to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC)? Do you feel that it adequately demonstrates the government’s commitment towards peace, justice, and reconciliation?
We welcome the action plan just as we have welcomed other statements of intent. Such statements do not by themselves demonstrate commitment, however. Only concrete action can do that and therefore it is ultimately on the basis of its actions that the government will be judged by the Sri Lankan people and international stakeholders.


Q: Do you think that enough is being done on the ground to ensure that there is no relapse into armed conflict?
When I arrived, the most important change had already taken place and that was, of course, the end of the violent conflict. The relief of the general population, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation was, and still is, palpable.
There is no magic formula to “ensure” an end to violence. But I leave Sri Lanka with a nagging sense that there is not sufficient urgency on the part of various players to take the difficult steps needed to address underlying grievances that could fuel a resurgence of radicalism. “Winning the peace” is not just a slogan. Making Sri Lanka a stable and prosperous home to all of its citizen groups will require magnanimity and far sightedness from those holding the levers of power.

Q: Canada has expressed concerns intermittently that Sri Lanka is not living up to her international obligations with Prime Minister Stephen Harper even warning last year that he will not attend the 2013 Commonwealth leaders’ summit in Colombo if there is no progress in terms of human rights. What is your assessment of the human rights situation in the country? Does accountability for alleged war crimes continue to be of concern to Canada?
There are general human rights issues and also specific ones arising from the closing months of the war. On the general, we empathize with many Sri Lankans who feel that there has been erosion in standards previously held dear. Too many crimes occur that seem to go unpunished, undermining the people’s faith in their institutions. If a culture of impunity takes hold, if journalists simply disappear without a trace, it becomes a slippery slope.
Where the alleged war crimes are concerned, Canada naturally supports bringing perpetrators to account. Indeed, Sri Lanka supports the same principle or it would not be signatory to international human rights covenants, nor would it belong to organisations like the Commonwealth.
But while Canada believes in and will continue to press for accountability, it would be best for Sri Lankans themselves to design internationally credible mechanisms to bring all criminals to justice.
Read more...

President instigates Elections Commissioner to act against Berty

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

The President is working towards appointing Minster S.M. Chandrasena’s brother, S.M. Ranjith as the Chief Minister of the North Central Province in place former Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, who is also aiming at the post. Therefore, a special operation has commenced against Berty Premalal Dissanayake through the Elections Department.

Officials from the Elections Department have conducted raids on Dissanayake’s election activities on a directive from the President’s office.

Elections officials have inspected most of Dissanayake’s election offices and have sealed some of them.

When inquired into the matter, it was evident that Dissanayake was engaged in campaign in violation of election laws. Chandrasena’s brother, S.M. Ranjith also engaged in a similar election campaign. The election officers are however silent about the matter.

Chandrasena has commenced a propaganda campaign to distribute thousands of mamoties among farmers misusing state funds. Every parcel distributed among the people carry Ranjith’s preferential number.

The Elections Department says that although there have been several complaints received on the matter, action could not be taken due to the lack of substantial evidence to prove it.

Meanwhile, Dissanayake has publicly stated that regardless of the challenges he would once again be elected as the Chief Minister of the North Central Province.

It is in this backdrop that the President told a rally in Ratnapura that the chief ministerial post would be given to the most suitable candidate this time. He said that the preferential numbers and votes would not be taken into account.

The President has told a minister at the rally that a new person needed to be appointed as the Chief Minster for North Central Province since there were many allegations of corruption against Dissanayake

The One And Only Family

By Kath Noble -

Kath Noble

The rise of Basil Rajapaksa has been rapid to say the least. Having spent years out of the country pursuing other interests, his return to support his brother’s presidential campaign was unexpected. Even more surprising was the popular backing he managed to acquire within a very short period in an unfamiliar district – he recorded the highest number of preferences in Gampaha in the 2010 parliamentary election, about as many as the next three candidates combined.

He is projected as a man who gets things done. The idea is that he will do for the economy what Gotabhaya did in terms of security, with Mahinda Rajapaksa being the figurehead who holds it all together.

The family brand is now so strong that people either love them or hate them.

It is perhaps understandable that Mahinda Rajapaksa is so obsessed with his family. Politicians adore power and want to hang onto it for as long as possible, and in this region in particular one means of extending their period of influence is to promote their relatives, lining them up for eventual succession.

Some months ago, Namal Rajapaksa gave a most amusing speech in Delhi at a forum on ‘political dynasties’ in which he claimed that the only real advantage of being the President’s son was that it had been slightly easier to get a nomination to contest elections. He argued that it was then up to the public to decide. This must be one of the most ridiculous statements of 2012. Yes, they have to collect votes, but even if they do so honestly on the basis of their image and not through the abuse of state resources that we all know is rampant in Sri Lanka, their image is only partly reflective of their capabilities. It is far more dependent on the opportunities they are given.

And both Namal and Basil have had a lot of help.

Why does Sri Lanka even have a Ministry of Economic Development? Because after the 2010 parliamentary election, Basil wanted a portfolio that would enable him to get involved in everything that might help to increase the family vote bank while making him responsible for nothing that could jeopardise it.

The Economic Development Ministry undertakes programmes that involve distributing freebies, money and jobs, especially focusing on young people in rural areas. Divi Neguma is an excellent example. Launched in 2011, its first phase involved the creation of one million home gardens. A lot of people were recruited to go around handing out seeds and equipment, or the money to buy them, and the whole exercise was given a lot of publicity. Never mind the impact of an increase in household production on farmers, since their marketing problems are the responsibility of the Minister of Agriculture.

Or is it the Minister of Agrarian Services and Wildlife? Livestock and Rural Community Development? Rural Affairs? Could Divi Neguma be run by the Minister of Food Security?

Does anybody actually remember who is responsible for these subjects?

Mahinda Rajapaksa believes in the centralisation of all useful power in the hands of his family, and the distribution of all useless responsibilities among as many other people as possible, so as to reduce the likelihood of any challenges to his authority from both inside and outside his governing coalition. He is constantly on the lookout for Parliamentarians he can induce to join the Government. Crossovers weaken the Opposition, but they also dilute the influence of each Cabinet Minister – instead of being one of about 20, they are now one of 60.

The resulting confusion obviously creates tremendous wastage and inefficiencies, which people ‘tut tut’ about from time to time.

But wastage and inefficiencies are only really actively opposed in Sri Lanka when they are sins committed by provincial councils. People are ever ready to find reasons to get rid of provincial councils, and their consumption of resources without producing much in the way of improvements to well-being is the issue cited most often as justification.

However, this problem too is created by the Government. Provincial councils don’t get a lot done because the Government doesn’t want them to do a lot.

The Government implements whatever projects it likes, wherever it likes, never mind whether their subjects fall within its purview or within that of the provincial councils. Cabinet Ministers may be given a chance to get involved to stop them feeling too bad about their increasingly powerless situation, but the really important stuff is bound to be given to a member of the Rajapaksa family. Why else would Basil have been put in charge of reawakening the East and bringing spring to the North – as far away from his constituency as one can get while remaining within Sri Lanka’s borders?

It is obviously nonsense to suggest that there are no capable people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, or that the Chief Ministers couldn’t have done the job with appropriate support from Parliamentarians representing those areas.

There is not even the explanation generally put forward as regards Gotabhaya, that Mahinda Rajapaksa really needed somebody he could trust due to the sensitivity and urgency of the situation during the war.

There was no justification for giving the responsibility to Basil.

I have made the same argument about the recent expansion of the Ministry of Defence to include street cleaning and landscape gardening as surely the world’s only Ministry of Defence and Urban Development (‘The Army’s No-War Games’, The Island, June 20th). Gotabhaya is apparently now spearheading the Rajapaksa family’s popularity drive among the middle class in Colombo.

Mahinda Rajapaksa doesn’t want devolution on anything other than a highly selective basis to people who won’t be in a position to use the power they are given meaningfully.

Divi Neguma is his ideal model. The key actors in the programme are community-based organisations, which operate in just one Grama Niladhari division or indeed in only part of one Grama Niladhari division. This is supposed to be empowering. Indeed it might be if there was a mechanism to enable these community-based organisations to have a say on policy – if the process were actually democratic, in other words. However, this is clearly not what is intended. They are given every opportunity to discuss amongst themselves, in a whole range of different forums at the local and even national level, no doubt involving plenty of wastage and inefficiencies that people won’t mind in the slightest, but all important decisions are taken by somebody else – Basil and officials under the control of Basil.

Provincial councils, which could reasonably expect to be in charge of work to promote home gardens, and more importantly to decide whether promoting home gardens is really the best option to make people in their areas better off, aren’t given the chance. They are not the ones with the money.

Why discuss this now? Because the Government is in the process of further extending and formalising this way of operating by means of a bill that transforms what was once merely a programme into a permanent structure of the Government – the Department of Divi Neguma Development, to be established within the Economic Development Ministry – which will also take over the work of regionally-focused development bodies such as the Udarata Development Authority and the Southern Development Authority, plus the work of the Samurdhi Authority.

The move is being challenged in the Supreme Court this week by a range of different groups, including the JVP.

A particular concern is that money deposited in Samurdhi Banks could be used by the Ministry of Economic Development without oversight, while the bill says that officials will be required to maintain absolute secrecy about their work, which is rather unusual.

However, it is the implications for the coordination of the development process that are most disturbing. Is Sri Lanka really best served by a system in which everything is decided by one, two or at best three people in Colombo?

Even if passage of the bill is blocked as a result of this legal action, it is clear that the real work will still remain to be done – the growth of Basil’s empire will be only slightly affected.

Mahinda Rajapaksa will pay no attention, certainly. He will continue to promote his relatives, in the expectation that being the President’s father will bring plenty of benefits in his dotage, and the space for others to contribute will continue to be closed down.

People may not feel very inclined to care about the fate of politicians, such is the frustration that has built up. The fact that internal democracy is as much of a problem in the SLFP as it is in the UNP doesn’t seem very important. However, it is through political parties that change has to come. The impact of their internal problems is being amply demonstrated by Ranil Wickremasinghe, who is preventing the Opposition from mounting a serious challenge to the Government by refusing to give up the UNP leadership. What Mahinda Rajapaksa is doing to the SLFP should be equally obvious.

Reforms are needed, and soon.

Basil Rajapaksa’s admirers shouldn’t get agitated by this suggestion – if he is as competent as they believe, he can manage without so much assistance from his brother.

*Kath Noble is a British journalist .She may be contacted at kathnoble99@gmail.com.

As Temperatures Rise in Sri Lanka, Drought Wreaks Havoc

By Amantha Perera

Drought has left some parts of Sri Lanka's dry zone scorched and crops devastated. Credit: Photostock/IPS

PUTTALAM, Sri Lanka , Aug 29 2012 (IPS) - It is a time of extreme heat and anxiety in Sri Lanka. Even the rains last week felt like a sudden burst of cold water on the smouldering asbestos sheets on most Sri Lankan household roofs, creating a blast of cold air before the heat returns once the rains end.

In some regions, like the north-central Pollonaruwa District, temperatures have been hitting highs in the region of 35 Celsius at uncomfortably regular intervals between July and mid-August.

“Temperatures have been rising for some time now, and will continue to do so,” warned Malika Wimalasooriya, the head of the Climate Change Unit at the Meteorological Department. The expert said that the rise is not spectacular or rapid, but that people have been noticing the effect of late because of the lack of rain.

The traditional southwest monsoon has been delayed by at least a month, and the first rains have begun only in the last fortnight. According to the Climate Change Unit at the Ministry of Environment, temperatures have risen by around 0.45 degrees Celsius in the last two decades.

Full Story>>>

TN government ordered to release 7 Lankan refugees at Chenkalpat​tu detention center

[ Tuesday, 28 August 2012, 12:13.19 PM GMT +05:30

Tamil Nadu government ordered to release 7 Lankan Tamil refugees detained at the Chenkalpattu special detention center. Family members of these refugees, political parties and the Eelam supporters feel much happier on this release.

7 Lankan Tamil refugees named Parabaran , T.Satheesh, V.Satheesh, Shanmuganathan, Sekaran, Vickneswaran and Disky Mohammad were detained at the Chenkalpattu special detention center. These refugees continuously engage in hunger strike on demanding the officials to release them. Refugee named Senthuran face critical health problems and rushed to the hospital. General Secretary of the MDMK Vaiko, leader of the Naam Tamilar party See Man and the leader of the Viduthalai Siruthaikal party Thol.Thirumawalawan continuously made requests to release these refugees. They also stage various protest in the state. Vaiko visited Senthuran and also commenced hunger strike protest at the MDMK headquarters on demanding the government to release these refugees. In such situation Tami Nadu stated government ordered to release 7 refugees. According to this Parabaran, T.Satheesh, V.Satheesh, Shanmuganathan, Vickneswarn and Disky Mohammad were handed over to their relatieves. All these refugees were released according to the recommendation made by the Q-division police.

Dullas says child abuse and raping women is normal

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

Youth Affairs Minister Dullas Alahapperuma says there is no need to pay special attention to the increasing number of child abuse and raping of women since it was a normal scenario.

He made this comment at a press conference at the Mahaweli Center on the 22^nd.

The Minister pointed out that cases of abuse and rape cases where politicians were involved were reported even during the UNP tenure.

He explained that a UNP politician from the Biyagama electorate had been charged of abuse and rape and that Ranil Wickremesinghe had protected him using his political powers. Therefore he said the situation today was no different.

However, a young UPFA politician is trying to hand over a secret video showing part of Alahapperuma’s private life. It is learnt that Alahapperuma is acting in this manner after learning about this plan and in order to make such incidents look normal.

MaRa Govt. Buffalo Ministers wreaking havoc on children’s education -Same question paper allows 3 hours time for some students and 2 hours for others
Wednesday 29 of August 2012
(Lanka-e-News -28.Aug.2012, 11.00PM) The ‘Drama and acting’ question paper today (28) of the GCE advanced level exam. had also been afflicted by a serious error. The time allowed in the question paper of the Sinhala medium was three hours while that allowed was two hours for the Tamil as well as the English media students sitting the same exam. A grave injustice was therefore committed in respect of some of the candidates .

Though it was admitted that there had been a blunder (as always with two Buffalo Ministers Gona wardena and S .B. Pissa nayake being at the helm of children’s education ) , and most examination centers had allowed the correct three hours time for the English and Tamil medium students to answer the questions , in some other Centers, the students’ time to answer the paper had been restricted to two hours. Consequently , these students had been made victims of a serious injustice perpetrated on them.

Meanwhile , Minister Gona wardena who paid no heed to the continuous warnings held out by the Teachers’ association that the examinations are not being conducted duly and have fallen short of the expected standards to be maintained when such exams are conducted , has written a letter to the IGP stating that there is an internal and international conspiracy to undermine the faith and confidence the public are having in the Education Dept . and education sector , and therefore requesting the IGP to investigate it.
In the letter of Gona wardena addressed to the IGP , it is mentioned , based on the information and various charges mounted by some groups of the Teachers’Association in the recent past, they are aimed at misleading the public and the media.

When Lanka e news inquired about this from Josef Stalin , the secretary of the Teachers’ Association , he scoffed at it and said, , when the lapses and egregious blunders committed by the Examination Dept are pinpointed to the Ministry , making a complaint to the IGP instead of rectifying the outrageous errors and misdeeds is a clear index that the Govt. has no desire to conduct exams duly and maintain the education standards. It is only trying to use police powers to stifle and suppress the exposures, he added. However , they cannot be intimidated or frightened by those threats , Stalin asserted.

Sri Lanka’s Education Mafia – OpEd

By Shenali Waduge-August 28, 2012

Undeniably something is wrong somewhere and that somewhere is our education. The stock exchange is supposed to be ruled by the mafia, perhaps even the sports arena, so too is present day politicos and it is no exaggeration to say that there is a mafia controlling the education of Sri Lanka. Our objective is to view all areas of discussion and to determine how best we can address these areas instead of delaying action through blame tactics.

What is on paper is never practiced and what should be practiced is never relevant to all. This is what ails every area of polity in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka

Making promises to win votes and then forgetting to fulfill those promises is part and parcel of the lies that all politicians make. This is why they say we get the politicians we deserve because we have voted them in. If people stand up for their rights, if people demand politicians stick to policies and make policies that are relevant to the nation we would be on a proper sustainable journey.

The Grievances Of University Teachers (Federation Of 

University Teachers’ 

Association)

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A Brave Pledge To Protect State Education

By Basil Fernando -August 29, 2012 

Basil Fernando

The Federation of the University Teacher’s Association (FUTA) deserves to be congratulated for organising a historic convention on August 17, 2012 on the current status and future direction of state education in Sri Lanka (or “free education” as it is popularly known) where, by way of consensus, 50 national trade unions and civil society organisations made a pledge to protect state education. There is nothing more important to be saved in Sri Lanka than the right of the younger generation to be educated, and this is not possible without protecting state education.

The pledge by the 50 organisations reads as follows. They have collectivelyresolved to:

• Work towards restoring the value of education to fulfill a larger public good;
• Lobby the government to recognise the importance of protecting and enhancing state funded education;
• Work collaboratively to restore public confidence in the state education sector;
• Advocate for the government to honour its commitments to enhance funding for education to reach at least 6% of the GDP, which is the minimum UNESCO benchmark for state support for education;
• Resist and challenge political interference with the management of educational institutions.

The development of the right to education for everyone irrespective of income levels is one of the greatest achievements of Sri Lanka as a nation. The ability of the Sri Lankan nation to develop a body of thinking that was enshrined in a state policy to provide education for all is a manifestation of a very advanced consciousness within the nation, achieved in the early part of the 20^th Century. The policy of education, an important issue to the nation, is able to guarantee equality of opportunity – in reality, not merely in theory – and making education available to the young is indeed one of the most enlightened decisions that Sri Lanka has ever made.

Now this achievement is under threat. Instead of an enlightened state policy, the economic greed of a few has come to the forefront and is undermining the most important principles agreed upon by earlier generations. Therefore, the decision to bravely resist this attack on one of the most fundamental aspects of the Sri Lankan nation needs to be saluted by all. Every Sri Lankan who treasures the body of democratic principles that the nation arrived at during the earlier part of the 20^th Century would be willing to support those who have courageously taken this pledge.

While saluting all the individuals and organisations who have taken this pledge, it is only right for each of us to express our own pledge to protect state education, and to do all we can to resist every attempt to undermine this important institution.

To read FUTA stories click here

Juki Girls, Sinhala State Terrorists and War Criminals

Donald Gnanakone for Salem-News.com

GSP or other concessions are not coming back as long as State Terrorist and War Criminals run the country.

Photo of Sri Lankan soldiers: jdsrilanka.blogspot.com

(SAN PEDRO, CA) - With regard to Unemployed Sri Lankan Factory Worker Writes to EU Ambassador on GSP Plus:

It is the responsibility of the servile Sinhala media, UNP opposition and other opposition to explain to the "Juki Girls" making Jungies to the Sudhies, (Knickers to the Whites) as said by President Chandrika and not me, and the Bolawathiies in the Middle East and Colombo why they are suffering at very low wages, and ill treatment.

The JUKI GIRL and housemaid/servant in Colombo is damn lucky that her house was not bombed by the Rajapakses, land acquired by Gota, Basil or UDA without compensation, her mother and sister raped and even murdered, her brothers tortued, jailed or missing, and father white vanned. None of her family or friends have been beaten and suffering from broken bones like most of the Tamil families and 80,000 widows in the North.

If she is that desperate to become a JUKI girl, may be she can move to Killinochchi, Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, or Amparai where one factory in every town are being started using US AID or EU AID by Sri Lanka's billionaires, creating new sweat shops at even lower wages without trade unions compared to Colombo. The GOSL are also giving huge Tax benefits and BOI other concessions including free land or cheap land 10% of the cost in Katunayake, Biyagama and Seeduwa.

Soon, all the garment factories in those areas will be closed down, land sold the Chinese for a song, and moved to Hambantota and Mattala or Killinochchi and Mullaitheevu by the GOSL and the billionaires. Then the village girls need not come to Colombo and live in rooms, pay for their food and transport/rent, and do all the "bad things" (Juki Girl said it and not me) (or Tricks), and garments exports being the biggest foreign earner for the country.

Of course the Juki Girl or the Sinha racist journalist or editor who wrote that article does not understand the simple economics of the affects of the GSP or the garment industry. There is a cost involved in making the under garments in the factory, and all raw materials are imported. Material, thread, buttons, elastic etc, so are the machinery, sales and marketing, foreign commissions and profits. Then there is shipping freight, insurance and ground transport/storage at both ends. There is also finance costs, land and buildings as initial investment both for the foreign investor or local businessman.

Most of the increase on the GSP duties were passed on to the European customer or American buyer.

So there are no major affects on the loss of the GSP and garments exports have increased in the last 3 years, despite the bad world economy, increased oil prices and energy costs. The profits to the local billionaires and their foreign partners (including their own foreign offices) have increased.

Even the opposition UNP was for years "crying wolf" like the Juki Girls and some are giving confused and mixed messages even now. UNP also were on the same side as the Rajapakses on that GSP issue, UN issue, and even the UNHRC resolution originated by the State Dept in DC... which is really a time buying exercise and a cruel joke on the Tamils. I have said that from day one in private and later in public.

But the war criminals in their arrogance and jingoistic mood are not willing to be realistic since the power has absolutely corrupted them. That is good for the War Criminal hunters like the Tamils For Justice, and also others who are only paying 'lip service' but soon some will have to move for legal action. That time is getting close.

Some Tamil groups and ACT NOW in the UK are campaigning for boycott and real sanctions against Sri Lankan exports of garments, so the chances of renewal of concessions are nil to Sri Lanka so that more Juki Girls can be employed for "life", and exploited by Sri Lanka's billionaires, including from the UNP, (Since UNP was in power and created the FTZ from 1977-1994, and 2001-2004). Sri Lanka needs to attend to the War Crimes allegations, accountability, Truth and Justice before there are any other concessions or big investments.

The reason for the economics of the garment trade and exports which now is over 4 Billion dollars gross, is for the Juki Girl (ghost writers) to understand that the Rajapkses are utilizing $2.2 Billion dollars for the military budget. The net profit of the 4 Billion dollars is about 20%, which is about $800 million dollars some of it to the foreigners themselves who are share holders.

So Sri lanka should bring down the MOD budget to 2004 levels of $600 million and save $1.6 Billion dollars to spend on all the Juki girls and their families. May be the Juki Girls should have joined the army 7 years ago when the Rajapakses were installed in power by the LTTE and also thanks to the blunders of the UNP, she could have benefited from the gold they stole from the 100,000 dead and 300,000 refugees, the bribery and corruption, and still entitled for pensions and may be even a free house and land.

Now the former Juki Girl is a house servant in Colombo, with her unemployed husband at home with her child, like the 1.5 million housemaids of Sinhala and Muslim origin most of whom are ill treated and abused. One wise leader from Sri Lanka by the name of Prabhakaran did not want Tamil girls going to the middle east as house maids, but most of them ended in other countries as part of the current 1 million diaspora, and many thousands are still trying to leave the country even bribing the navy.

Unfortunately with some foreign aid the billionaires of Sri Lanka are now creating the new Juki Girls in the North East, and with the work ethics or the Tamils and lower cost of operations and labor there is no doubt more factories set up there.

The future is indeed bleak for the Juki Girls in the South... And GSP or other concessions are not coming back as long as State Terrorist and War Criminals run the country.

Donald Gnanakone
Tamils For Justice.

Interview: Dr Saravanamuttu On Post-War Political And Economic Situation

August 29, 2012

For analysis on the post-war political and economic situation, Dateline speaks to an expert on Sri Lankan politics, Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu. For more on Mark Davis’s interview, go to the SBS Dateline website