Opportunistic Scoundrels kicked out : Lawyers’ protests spread like wild fire Island wide
(Lanka-e-News- 10.Dec.2012, 
11.30PM) The Bar association of Matara region are joining in the strike of the courts from tomorrow after chasing away the opportunistic scoundrels.

Over 200 Lawyers of the Matara Bar association. Only five of them had held the view that the MaRa’s ‘mockery court’ justice is fair . Lawyer Razik Zarook , a notorious somersault Sultan had also been chased away from the counseling role. Thereafter , the Lawyers have decided unanimously to stage a continuous strike from tomorrow.

Today the Galle Bar association had decided to stage a strike tomorrow and day after. The Jaffna Bar Association has decided to strike for 4 days from tomorrow. Meanwhile a majority in the parent Bar association yesterday ,comprising 24 members of the Executive Committee was in favor of the strike. Its President Wjedasa Rajapakse too was in favor of that move. Later , because of the issue of the strike by the Supreme Court (SC) and appeal court , it was decided that a one hour strike is staged on the 13th. Since the SC and appeal court are involved in the inquiry now conducted by the Select committee , those courts have to function. 13th is a day when a single case is tried by the SC. When Lanka e news stated BASL decision is a procrastination decision , a Lawyer who is an executive member of the parent Bar association (BASL) and said as follows : 

After the general meeting of the parent Bar Association on Saturday , a definite decision shall be taken , he pointed out.
Meanwhile , despotic MaRa who is responsible for stirring up all the unwarranted unrest in his clandestine attempt to undermine and subjugate the independent judiciary never witnessed before in SL’s political history , and who is cast in the ruthless mould of Hitler had said , ‘ Pakistan style uprising will not work here’. An SLFP Provincial Council member speaking to Lanka e news who was full of rancor against the Rajapakses said , ‘ because of the problems created by these Rajapakses whose whole obsession is power and selfish power build up even at the country’s expense , and wasting precious time ,we are unable to get a Lawyer to appear even for our own cases’.

A Picture’s Worth A Thousand Words!

By Emil van der Poorten -December 11, 2012

Having failed to thwart the SLFP-led UPFA move to impeach Chief Justice Dr. Srirani Bandaranayake, the UNP parliamentary group joined government members for dinner at the official residence of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. President Mahinda Rajapaksa shares a light moment with Chief Opposition Whip, John Amaratunga, MP, who quit the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) investigating the conduct of the CJ last Friday. Another vociferous critic of the government, MP Dayasiri Jayasekera and National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Minister Wimal Weerawansa, too are seen in a jovial mood. (Pic by Chandana Perera)”

“Divided in fighting, united in feasting

This picture and the caption which accompanied it which appeared in The Island newspaper of December 10th says it all in the matter of the government being six of one and the (UNP) opposition half a dozen of the other!  Look at the line up in celebration of jollity: Dayasiri  Jayasekera, “Long” John Amaratunge, Wimal Weerawansa, Neomal Perera(?) and that’s without the photographer using a wide-angle lens to capture those not able to nestle as close as they would have liked to the President at a lavish dinner party hosted by Chamal Rajapaksa, the Speaker of the House (not in the picture) at his residence.

While pictures (and captions) like this do nothing but encourage the anti-democratic impulse not to vote, one cannot but pay grudging respect to that old admonition which goes, “Don’t vote, it only encourages the rascals.”

While it might sound repetitious to do so, I have to remind anyone reading this piece of the circumstances of this photograph taken on the occasion of a dinner party thrown by the Speaker of our legislature who only hours before had presided over probably the single most egregious blow delivered to democracy in this country by anyone.

While some might welcome this show of bonhomie from our MPs who are better known for unrivalled boorishness both inside and out of the legislature, what this depicts, most graphically is the cant and humbug of people who are presiding over the daily diminution of our democratic rights and, in fact, our very right to exist as dignified human beings in this country.

This is proof, if proof be needed, of the rank hypocrisy of the vast majority of our legislators.  That ALL of them appear, in the last resort, to be beholden to a Sri Lankan Machiavelli (or is it Svengali?) of unrivalled proportions is one of the less well-kept secrets among those who have an interest in this country’s political affairs.  If you are not beholden to the Maharajananwahanse, it could constitute playing with fire because not to hand such a sword to our All-Powerful One might well make one vulnerable to the ultimate in risks. How does it go? “If you can’t bribe or blackmail them, pick them up in a white van, throw them in jail or simply kill them” isn’t it?  The anthem for those in that small and diminishing category could well be, “Here come de white vans, boys!”

Any investigative political journal worth its salt needs to get the guest list for this occasion and publish it so that the people of this country will have confirmation, if confirmation is needed, of the duplicity of those we elect to represent us, paying them most handsomely for that privilege.  It seems, in fact, that one does not, any longer, even need to cross the floor to be clasped to the bosom of Mahinda Rajapaksa and have bestowed upon one all the goodies hitherto reserved for those who betrayed their party and those who put them in Parliament to represent policies opposed to those of Mahinda Rajapaksa and his stooges.  Now it is far simpler and easier: all one needs to do is break bread with The Royal Family or parts thereof!

In the context of a malnourished population on one hand and a Member of Parliament demanding that prime cuts of pork be served (significantly discounted below the price that Citizen Banda has to pay in the market) in the legislature’s restaurant, this makes for more than the usual Theatre of the Absurd.  One might, in fact, be forgiven if one were to suggest that this IS the ultimate in theatre of the absurd!

A sad day for democracy

Sri Lanka Brief-Photo

December 9, 2012, 7:53 pm2, 7:53 pm 

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that probed charges against Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake has found her guilty on three counts. It concluded its proceedings and produced a report at such an amazing speed that one wondered whether it wanted to finish its work before the end of the world predicted by Mayans!

The seriousness of charges against the CJ cannot be cited in justification of the extraordinary haste on the part of the government in trying to impeach her and the methods used for that purpose. The outcome of the disputed PSC process has failed to convince the discerning public beyond doubt that the CJ is guilty as charged. Opinion is divided on the much flaunted PSC findings. Similarly, the fact that there are constitutional ambiguities about the removal of judges and the methods employed by the government to impeach the CJ are questionable cannot be cited in support of the argument that all charges against her are baseless.

For a government with a simple parliamentary majority, removing a Chief Justice is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. The PSC process is only a façade; what really matters is how Parliament votes. The J. R. Jayewardene government would have got rid of Chief Justice Neville Samarakoon but for the intervention of his retirement and the Ranil Wickremesinghe government would have sacked Chief Justice Sarath N Silva had it not been dislodged by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. This time around the situation is different with the present government, impervious to criticism and rational argument, being in a position to go the whole hog and remove the CJ. But, in so doing it is sure to incur much international opprobrium and have its democratic credentials severely dented. The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has already fired a broadside, claiming that [the PSC] 'hearing ignores international standards and violates due process'. Government politicians may argue that their course of action is consistent with precedents and constitutional provisions which, according to their interpretation, permit what is being done to oust the CJ, but the fact remains that they have used a flawed process knowingly that it is so. What it has done is like using contaminated instruments in a delicate surgery; the operation may be 'successful' but doomed will be the patient!

The ICJ has said in its stinging critique of the impeachment motion: "The United Nations Human Rights Committee, in its 2003 concluding observations on Sri Lanka, expressed concern that the procedure for removing judges under Article 107 and the complementary Standing Orders of Parliament was not compatible with Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights." It is puzzling why the then UNF government led by the UNP, which is critical of the current impeachment process, did not heed the UNHRC concerns and act accordingly then. Had a constitutional amendment been moved at that time in keeping with the provisions in President Kumaratunga's 2000 Draft Constitution which was shot down by the UNP and the JVP together perhaps it would have been ratified unanimously as the SLFP was then an ardent defender of judges' rights. Both the SLFP and the UNP let the grass grow under their feet. At least now, they must get together and address the issue of removing judges and bring in constitutional amendments that conform to international standards. The onus is on the government to take the initiative.

However, let it be added in the same breath that the proper process must be followed not only in removing judges but also in appointing them. It is imperative that the political authority be stripped of powers to appoint judges to the Supreme Court arbitrarily. When the incumbent CJ was appointed a judge of the apex court, it may be recalled, there was stiff resistance from senior Supreme Court judges themselves and some of her present-day defenders even moved the judiciary against her appointment albeit in vain.

The ruling party members of the PSC which tried the CJ said on Saturday that the committee's findings were open to scrutiny. The least that the government could do to prove its claim that it has conducted a proper investigation is to let its critics including international experts assess the PSC conclusions, without rushing to the next phase of the impeachment process. What the government will do if independent experts conclude that the PSC report does not pass muster is the question.

The county is faced with a very serious issue that must be dealt with carefully. It is not just a question of removing the incumbent CJ; the unfolding impeachment drama which, in our book, has a predictable end is fraught with the danger of rendering all judges of the apex court, both present and future, insecure.

Military supporters stage protest against TNA MP [ Monday, 10 December 2012, 03:31.48 PM GMT +05:30 ] Human Rights activist observed international human rights day peace full manner at the Karaichchie Pradeshiya Sabaha hall. Tamil Nation People Front stage protest against the repressive measures carried out by the government against Tamils in this country in front of the Killinochchie Katcheri  today. Group of protesters headed by the Lankan government and army supporters Pannankandi Kuttymama and Irathinamani stage protest against the Tamil people in SriLanka. Members of the army intelligence unit warned Three -wheeler union and several other organization in Killinochchie district to take part in this protest. However they refused to do so. They protester raised slogans against TNA parliamentarian C.Sridharan and human rights activist of majority community Wickramabahu Karunaratne. பல்கலை மாணவர்களை உடனே விடுதலை செய்! கிளிநொச்சியில் திரண்ட மக்கள் 10 டிசெம்பர் 2012, திங்கள் 11:30 மு.ப யாழ் மாவட்டத்தில் கைது செய்யப்பட்ட பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்கள் மற்றும் பொதுமக்களை விடுதலை செய்யக் கோரி இன்றைய தினம் கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்ட செயலகத்திற்கு  முன்னால் கவனயீர்ப்பு போராட்டம் ஒன்று இடம்பெற்றுது. கைது செய்யப்பட்ட பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்களை உடனே விடுதலை செய், இராணுவமே வெளியேறு, போன்ற கோசங்கள், பாதாதைகளை தாங்கியவாறு போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்டனர். இதில் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் சுரேஸ் பிரேமச்சந்திரன், தமிழ் தேசிய மக்கள் முன்னணியின் தலைவர் மற்றும் உறுப்பினர்கள்,புதிய மாக்சிஸ் லெனின் கட்சியின் உறுப்பினர்கள், பொதுமக்கள் என பலரும் கலந்து கொண்டுள்ளனர். கவனயீர்ப்பு போராட்டத்தை தமிழ்த் தேசியக மக்கள் முன்னணி மற்றும் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு உள்ளிட்ட ஆறு கட்சிகள் கூட்டாக இணைந்து இப்போராட்டத்தை நடத்தி வருகின்றமை குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. எனினும் இப் போராட்டத்திற்கு எதிராக ஒரு குழுவினர் ஓர் ஆப்பாட்டம் ஒன்றில் ஈடுபட்டு வருகின்றனர் இவர்கள் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்புக்கு எதிரான கோசங்களை எழுப்பியவாறு ஆர்ப்பாட்டத்தை முன்னெடுத்து வருவதாக தெரியவருகிறது.

People at Killinochchie stage protest to release university students

[ Monday, 10 December 2012, 09:47.05 AM GMT +05:30 ]

Protest stage in Killinochchie on demanding to release students of the Jaffna University and other civilians arrested by the officers of Terrorist Investigation Division.

Protest staged in front of the Killinochchie Pradeshiya Sabaha. Tamil National People Front, Tamil National Alliance and six other political parties have jointly organized this protest. TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran, leader and the members of Tamil National People’s Front and, members of New Marci’s Lenin part and general public were also present at this protest campaign.

UN representatives see fabricated ‘civil society’ in Jaffna

Religious leaders and representatives of Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Jaffna address UN representatives visiting Jaffna at Bishop's House

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 December 2012, 00:58 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s permanent representative at the UN, Palitha Kohona, brought resident representatives of the UN in 13 countries, including Japan, Italy and South Africa to Jaffna on Satuday. The team during its visit was shown with a fabricated civil society that praised the ‘development’ of Colombo in Jaffna, news sources in Jaffna said. The team held talks with the occupying SL governor in the North, Maj. Gen G.A. Chandrasri and the supporters of the EPDP collaborating with Colombo, who were presented to the visiting team as the ‘civil society’ of Jaffna. However, the visiting UN representatives, while speaking to the Bishop of Jaffna said that had an impression of the true situation as they had already met the TNA and various others in Colombo. 

As Sri Lanka is soon going to be a topic for discussion at Geneva, the Colombo Establishment is keen in canvassing member states of the UN, news sources said, citing the visit of representatives from the Non-Aligned bloc and the visit of British parliamentarians to Jaffna in recent times.

Mudiyappu Remedious who had contested the Jaffna Municipal Council in the TNA ticket and had later become an SL government supporter, was one of those who has been presented as a civil society member. 

Mr Remedious is alleged of involvement in the attempted murder case of journalist Kuhanathan.

Besides Remedious, the others who were presented as the ‘civil society’ included EPDP members, Colombo supporters and the Jaffna University Vice Chancellor, Prof Vasanthi Arasaratnam.

There were coordinators of the EPDP-built ‘associations’: Mr. Rushankan of media association, Mr Selvavadivel of education development association and former Hartley College principal Mr. Sripathy, who contested civic elections on EPDP ticket and lost, but has now become a member of the Jaffna University Council.

They all argued that normalcy has returned to Jaffna and that the SL government id engaged in a number of development programmes.

There was also an engineer, Mr. Suriyakumaran, who is said to have returned to Jaffna from the diaspora after 40 years. He now works for an engineering firm called Eurovile in Jaffna. He testified that ‘development’ is now accelerated in Jaffna at a scale hitherto unforeseen in the last 40 years.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation (CPR) that met the UN team at the Bishop’s House told the visitors that the SL government only practices duplicity in its speech and deeds.

Development without consent and participation of the people of the land is meaningless, they told the visitors.

The CPR cited the situation at the University of Jaffna as an example for the duplicity of SL government talking reconciliation but worsening the situation by its deeds.

The Tamils in the island are further and further driven to opt for agitation and uprising by the acts of the SL government, the CPR told the visitors.

Sri Lanka Tamil party opposes any move to alter demographic pattern in the North

Sun, Dec 9, 2012, 08:54 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Dec 09, Colombo: Sri Lanka's major Tamil political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) says the party is opposed to any move to alter the demographic pattern in the North.
TNA Leader R. Sampanthan has said that the Tamil people in the North wanted to re-commence their agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry and other industrial activities in the area and that the military is engaged in cultivating large areas of land in the North especially in areas such as Iranamadu and Keravil.
"There are military cantonments being set up. We are opposed to any move to alter the demographic pattern of these areas," he has observed.
However, he has added that the TNA only wanted the armed forces to be present in these areas without any adverse impact on the day to day lives of the civilians in the North.
"We don't want the armed forces stationed there to subjugate the Tamil people, to make them feel they are not equal citizens of this country. We don't want the armed forces to make our people feel inferior. Our people want to live with self-respect and dignity. That is all," the TNA leader said.
"We are not demanding the total withdrawal of the armed forces. They should be there as they are in any other part of the country," Sampanthan has said, adding that they can maintain their intelligence and carry out surveillance since it is their legitimate duty.

Protest for Lalith and Kugan MONDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2012 The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) today held a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station demanding the government to release the two human rights activists Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandun who were abducted last year in Jaffna. During the protest the FSP members brought a huge dummy of a white van and set fire to it while symbolizing the many abductions and disappearances which took place in Sri Lanka in the recent past. (Pix by Kushan Pathiraja)

Jaffna University Simmering… »

Niranjala Ariyawansha and Chrishanthi Christopher-

Monday, December 10, 2012

Amnesty International (AI) has appealed to the government of Sri Lanka to make an early decision on the three students of the University of Jaffna who were arrested on the 1st of December and presently being held by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) in Vavuniya. AI fears that they may be tortured.
On the 27th of November, lamps were lit within the Jaffna University premises. It was the day that “Great Heroes” were remembered. It was also to commemorate the dead during the war. The Great Heroes Day was so declared by the LTTE.
The lighting of the lamps came to be known by the armed forces who, in turn entered the University premises the same evening and threatened the students. They had even entered the female students’ dormitories and used abusive language within earshot of those nearby. They had brandished weapons in addition to turning abusive. They proceeded to throw away the lamps and thereafter had entered the male dormitory and threatened the students.
A science faculty student from the University on conditions of anonymity said, “University students are also part of our society. Others were remembering their relatives and friends. Even though all may not accept their political beliefs and what they fought for and died, we understand that they fought for our rights and we must remember them by lighting lamps. No one should prevent that”.
“Let us think. Let me say for the sake of argument, I do not accept their political motives? But if the person killed is my father, mother, brother or sister? Can I not remember them by lighting a lamp? That is a right we have as human beings to remember our loved ones. If we cannot do that what basic human rights do we enjoy?”
Whilst this incident was taking place the Editor of the Uthayan newspaper was taking photographs. He was assaulted by a senior police officer. “That evening a fellow student called me and said that the Police had entered the premises and there was a commotion. I went to the University thereafter. I saw the Police leaving the female dormitory and going towards the male one. I took some photographs of this. A few Police Officers came to me on seeing this. There was a senior officer in civilian attire. There were two or three in uniform for his security. That is how I knew he must be a high ranking officer. He held me against the temple wall and assaulted me. MP Saravanabhavan came there and told him that I was a media person. The assault stopped thereafter,” he said.
The university students decided to hold a peaceful protest march against this action on the 28th. The intention was to march through the front gate of the university and to re-enter the university premises through the science faculty. This peaceful protest was also set upon by the Police. At least 20 students had to seek treatment at the Jaffna Hospital. Thereafter the TID on the 1st of December arrested four students. One student from the science faculty was released. The other three are being held by the TID at Vavuniya.
MP P. Saravanabhavan said, “The students performed a very peaceful and short protest march. When the procession came out of the front gate of the university, the army assaulted them. The children ran helter-skelter. Many were injured. I shouted at the army and asked them to stop. They responded, ‘we are army, we will do anything’. I have that recorded.”
He went on to say, “This was unnecessary. With the world human rights day round the corner and the UN Human Rights Summit to be held next March, the army behaves like this? We can imagine how this government ensures human rights. They must send intelligent people to settle problems. Not Andare’s like this”.
Amnesty International and other Human Rights organisations have voiced fears over the safety of the three students held by the TID.
The Executive Director of Transparencvy Internationa J C Weliamuna says that there is no security for the people of Sri Lanka contrary to what the government says.
“Is this the way the government approaches reconciliation? This incident showed that the government is not serious to bring about reconciliation between the communities. If tamil students cannot express themselves by a simple lighting of lamps, where are the human rights that the government says is in place? Within an independent Sri Lanka anyone can remember their dead political heroes. Even the LTTE should have that right.”
Attorney Weliamuna said that the government does not care about International Protocols or order. “The government has no serious thoughts about the International community. They will use international pressure to shore up local support.”
A Jaffna University Lecturer from the Arts Faculty who did not wish to divulge his name said, “Tamils cannot divulge their names to discuss nor express views on important national issues concerning them. We live in fear. We may disappear at any moment. That is why I did not wish to give my name. Now the Sinhalese also live in fear. You can then imagine how it is for a Tamil? The leaders of this country should be ashamed of themselves at what they have created”.
He went on to add, “Tamil politicians must solve this before the national question. I mean anyone should be able to light lamps on the great heroes’ day. They should not look to gain political mileage when students do this. They must take a decision on the great heroes’ day quickly. If the JVP can commemorate their heroes why cannot the Tamils do so?’
A discussion took place on the 4th of December between the Commander of the Northern Forces Brig. Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University and other Deans. K. Rasakumaran, President of the University Lecturers said “By now three Police Posts have been placed at the entrances instead of the Army. Up to now we have not been informed whether the three students in custody will be released. At this point there are no students within the University. They have left to their homes. They live in fear. We have asked for their release and to stop the interference by the military into University affairs. This has been informed to the Vice Chancellor and all the Embassies in addition to the Minister of Higher Education.”
The US Embassy has already issued a statement condemning the attack. They have also urged the government to recognise the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. The convener of the IUSF Sanjeewa Bandara also said that freedom of expression should be strengthened and recognised by the government. He also urged the government to release the three students under arrest.
The international day for human rights is on the 10th of December. Human Rights are under threat across the country and not confined to the Jaffna peninsula. The International Community has been constantly urging the government to respect and uphold Human Rights. The University students of Jaffna have a common complaint. They say that they have never had a peaceful and steady life.
A student who wished to remain anonymous said “It is the government that propagates terrorism. We do not understand what relations remain between the peaceful lighting of lamps and national security. Are Tamils (Demalu) not people? Is the Mahinda Chintanaya which proposes a prosperous future only for others and not Tamils?”

Human Rights Day: “My voice counts”

Human Rights Day: “My voice counts”

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2012

“Where we come from does not determine who we can become. What we look like places no limits on what we can achieve. We should all have the right to express ourselves, all have the right to be heard, all have the right to be what we can be: To reach for the sky and touch the stars. No matter who we are, no matter whether we are man or woman, or rich or poor: My voice, my right. My voice counts.”
—Desmond Tutu, a key figure in the defeat of apartheid in South Africa, Nobel Prize Laureate, first black Archbishop of South Africa.

[Participation in public life is fundamental to democracy and effective human rights protection ©UN DPI New York] Desmond Tutu, the former Archbishop of South Africa is one of those supporting the My voice, my right. My voice counts on Human Rights Day, campaign on 10 December. Others lending their support, include: the lawyer and human rights activist from Pakistan, Asma Jahangir; Olympic gold medalist, Jamaican Usain Bolt; Roma rights campaigner, Lurie Caldarari; Chinese human rights defender Wu Qing; from Lebanon five year old school girl Maria Maaloui; and the South African Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius.

On Human Rights Day 2012, the UN Human Rights Office is stressing that everybody has the right to have their voice heard and to have a role in making the decisions that shape their communities. Each one of us should be able to choose those people who will represent us in all governance institutions, to stand for public office, and to vote on the fundamental questions that shape our individual and collective destines.

In a statement marking the Day, High Commissioner Navi Pillay said those people who have gone onto the streets in the past few years are asking for “an end to a situation where governments simply decide what is best for their populations without even consulting them.”

“They are asking for their right to participate fully in the important decisions and policies affecting their daily lives,” Pillay said.

Human Rights Day will be celebrated this year in Geneva with an event which will canvass the views of a wide range of people whose experiences give them a unique perspective on inclusion and the right to participate in public life.

From Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition National League for Democracy party will deliver keynote remarks via satellite link. The President of the International Federation of Human Rights, Souhayr Belhassen, a global rights campaigner especially for women’s rights will be present in Geneva, along with Chief Francis Kariuki from Kenya who uses tweets and text messages to unify and mobilize his community of mostly farmers.

Valeriu Nicolae from Romania, works for the rights of the Roma in Europe. He will be in Geneva to participate in the discussion, as will Romel Joseph, a blind musician from Haiti who will offer his perspective on the barriers to participation faced by the disabled. Joseph will also perform a program of classical music at the event with fellow musicians Tido Dejan, Victoria Jospeh and Iona Lupaşcu.

For the UN Human Rights Office, 10 December this year assumes a special significance because it will also see the launch of the Arabic language version of the Office website. The project will enable access to the wealth of information on the Human Rights website to all Arabic speakers.

In New York on Human Rights Day, the focus will be on the new media technologies,
and their influence on the global movements for greater participation.

At a special event in New York a number of guests from all regions of the world have been invited to discuss participation in public life, including: Australian, Jeremy Heimans, from Avaaz.org a global web movement aiming to bring people-powered politics to decision-making everywhere; Haitian, Chenet Torrilus, from the Haitian Association of Volunteers for Democracy which promotes youth participation in policy making; from Kenya, Pauline Wanja who runs Living in a Shanty Town which tries to help young people break the cycle of poverty; and from Egypt Ahmed Maher co founder of the pro democracy April 6 Youth Movement.

The UN Human Rights field offices, Civil Society groups in many countries and other UN organisations have also organized events to mark Human Rights Day.

The events in both Geneva and New York will be webcast ‘live’.

Prevention of Terrorism Act is inappropriate - Jaffna University Science Teachers' Association

12/09/2012 - 09:20

Issuing a letter to President Mahinda Rajapksa the Jaffna University Science Teachers' Association notes that the prevention of terrorism act is inappropriate when dealing with incidents which are political in nature.

The university teachers wrote the letter to the President in-order to draw his attention towards the current situation in Jaffna and the incidents which have taken place in the recent past centreing the Jaffna University.

 

The Jaffna University Science Teachers' Association notes that the current issues cropped up following the army's decision to enter the students hostel of the university on the 27th of last month.

They note that continued presence of the military without tangible moves towards a political settlement has helped the mobilisation of youth feelings to turn the said day into a day of defiance.

The university teachers reiterate that the defeat of an insurgent force does not extinguish the feelings or causes that gave rise to it, adding that such feeling should be handled as part of the political task of
reconciliation.

The letter notes that the army entering the halls of the Jaffna University and separating the Sinhalese from the Tamils and going on to show hostilities towards the Tamils undermines these efforts and could have serious implications for the future.

The letter also notes that several acts of harassment in the university, by persons in mufti, amount to an attempt at tackling a political question through heavy-handed intimidation.

Jaffna University Science Teachers' Association (JUSTA)

Jaffna University Science Teachers’ Association, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka today sent the following letter to the  President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

His Excellency the President,
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Your Excellency,

Grave and dangerous plight of students at the University of Jaffna

We members of the university community in Jaffna feel constrained to write you directly in view of a deteriorating situation, where no official here seems to be able to deal with the problem or to adequately comprehend our concern.
It began with the Army entering the students’ hostels on 27^th November, ostensibly to prevent the lighting of flames. The occasion had a political association that has polarized society and the community needs space to discuss its significance and to sort out its own differences. Default on the part of the Government through continued presence of the military without tangible moves towards a political settlement, has helped the mobilisation of youthful feelings to turn it into a day of defiance, where its original association becomes less important.
Your Excellency well knows, having been in politics for several decades and in the centre of two Southern insurgencies, that the defeat of an insurgent force does not extinguish the feelings or causes that gave rise to it. Such feelings are not a police matter, but are rather  to be handled as part of the political task of reconciliation and rebuilding.
We have all tried hard to make our university one that respects differences and advocates pluralism. The Army entering the halls, separating the Sinhalese from the Tamil students and showing hostility to and even threatening the latter not only  undermines our efforts but has serious implications for the future.
The demonstration on the following day, 28^th, was a protest against the previous day’s incident, carrying slogans that were well within the norms of democratic protest. If the students had been allowed to walk the short distance from the main entrance on Parameswara Road and reenter by the Science Faculty entrance nothing untoward would have happened. Rather than calm the situation matters were made worse by the Police physically attacking the students.
The same night a petrol bomb exploded at the Sri-TELO camp behind the University causing no physical harm to anyone. Security around the university, including by several agents in mufti, had been very tight and we find it puzzling that the perpetrators got away scot-free. Even more remarkable is that the Kopay Police were able to come up with names of four persons to arrest over the incident, which evidently no one had given them. We are confident that these students had nothing to do with bomb throwing. Two were arrested at their homes before the night was out and two were handed over by the University authorities the following day. They were all detained under the PTA and taken to Vavuniya.
There were several acts of harassment in the University by persons in mufti and the interrogation of an assistant lecturer over the phone over his casual reference to heroes’ day in response to a text query by a Sinhalese student. These reveal an attempt to tackle a political question through heavy handed intimidation. Instead of putting an end to the insanity, more followed.
Another list of ten
On the morning of 6^th December, the university administration was given, by a man who claimed to be from the TID, a list containing names of ten persons (see annexe) to be produced at the Jaffna Police Station, without any intimation of the reasons or the charges against them. The news shocked the university community and parents were distraught. One sickly mother of a student handed over the Police by the University was so upset with the University’s helplessness that she threatened to take poison.
A study of the list convinced us that all these students were wanted only because they were well known as prominent in student activities or were victims of police assault on 28^th November, whose pictures featured in news reports on the internet.
The practice of the University authorities ‘handing over’ students gives rise to some questions and we are not sure of the legal situation. At the same time we realise that parents sometimes wish for the university to be involved out of fear that otherwise something dire might happen. What does concern us however is that, while complying with police requests to hand over students the University authorities fail to question the police as to the reasons and to seek speedy resolution. The situation is so bad that even lawyers are mostly afraid to represent students and ask them to seek help from the University.
The use of the PTA
The war is long over and the PTA is most inappropriate to deal with questions that are political in nature. To see terrorism in political gestures and political opinion that do not take recourse to violence and to respond to them by an overwhelming show of force, is both illogical and counter-productive. There is now no anti-state terrorism in Jaffna.
An important part of consolidating peace is for the State to conduct itself in a manner that induces respect for the rule of law. Of immediate concern to the University is that in 2011 student leaders were twice attacked and grievously injured by men wielding metal rods. The reasons were entirely political and they had not committed any crime. The Police showed no interest in arresting the culprits. Now using the petrol bomb explosion as a pretext the Police seem determined to detain and harass student leaders and those active who had nothing to do with the bomb.
The result is to cause considerable fear, anxiety and trauma among the students that is detrimental to the academic character of the University. More importantly dragging innocent students through police stations and police cells, as happened in the 1970s and 1980s, is frightening at the start and then hardens them and breeds contempt for the law and for the officers entrusted to uphold it. Where there should be trust and co-operation there is fear, resentment, and then defiance. Surely, we do not want the consequences of that again.
We saw no alternative but to write to you as it is far from clear who is in charge. We appeal for your understanding of the situation and urge you to take such measures to ensure that the rule of law is observed.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Members of the University Community,Jaffna,
7^th December 2012
Annexe
List of Names of Students

1. Selwarathnam Renuraj
2. V. Bhavananadan
3. Ambalawanapillai Prasana
4. T. Abarajithan
5. Pranadhan Sabeshkumar
6. Selvanayagam Janahan
7. Rajendran Miller Alexendar
8. kanagarasa Sanjeewan
9. Sathyamoorthi Prasanna
10. Sinnaiya Shashikantha

Colombo hatches new strategies in genocidal war, sidelines EPDP

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 December 2012, 11:10 GMT]
One of the new strategies of Colombo in waging its on-going genocidal war against Eezham Tamils is tagging spontaneous uprisings resulting from its genocide in the island as linked to ‘diaspora terrorism’. Colombo’s strategy is nothing but a manifestation of the attitude of the guilt-filled International Community of Establishments (ICE) and its groups, outfits etc., that see the diaspora as their enemy and attempt to silence diaspora opinion by projecting it as ‘linked’ to ‘terrorism,’ political observers in the island said. Meanwhile, Colombo now sidelines the EPDP and cultivates its own collaborators in the North, the observers further said, citing many recent developments. ‘Use and dump’ will not stop with Karuna, Pillaiyaan and Douglas, but would proceed to even those who were long recruited for the agenda of the ICE, the observers further commented. 

Colombo is currently engaged in booking the student leaders of the University of Jaffna under ‘terrorism’ charges, saying that sections in the diaspora directed the students into it. By doing so, Colombo is once again planning for a full-fledged genocidal war with the remaining people of the Eezham Tamil nation in the island and in the diaspora.

SL police of Koappaay and Achchuveali in Jaffna arrested 17 people on Saturday and Sunday alone.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Department (TID) accepted to media that it had arrested around 25 former members of the LTTE.

Many people are arrested in Vanni, but there is no official record. The SL human rights office in Jaffna confirmed the arrest of at least 7 people in Vanni.

Colombo attempts to link all these arrests to diaspora connections.

Three people are arrested allegedly for flying Tiger flag of Tamil Eelam at Valveddiththu’rai on the Heroes Day. One of them is a school student studying at Valveddiththu’rai Chithamparaa College and the other two are tagged as former LTTE members. SL sources have ‘leaked’ information to media that the three were given with a huge sum of money by the diaspora to hoist the flag.

Fabricated accusations circulated by SL agents in the North have the larger purpose of silencing the people’s uprising.

Media and public in Jaffna know well how the Jaffna University students were charged with explicitly false accusations.

Altogether 13 students of the university have been arrested or handed over by the university administration to the SL military intelligence. During a meeting between the university officials and the SL military at Palaali, the occupying commander told the participants that the SLA would not enter into the university in future without the permission of the Vice Chancellor and there won’t be any arrests. But the very following day the TID demanded the handover of a list of students.

The Jaffna University students too are accused as receiving funds from the diaspora. Similar to using the name of the LTTE for silencing the Tamil people in the past, the SL government is now using the name of the diaspora.

* * * Political observers identify this trend originating from the UNSG panel report views on the diaspora, ICG reports, and the books and writings of those who serve the ICE agenda-setters. 

The thrust of the animosity finally seems to harp around diaspora’s righteous inability to excuse the guilty ones from charges of genocide and on-going genocide, as well as the diaspora’s stand on nation, sovereignty (historical, earned and remedial) and right to self-determination of the affected people.

A tiny country of just 300,000 people like the Maldives in our neighbourhood was able to tell an Indian corporate to leave its airport, because its people have sovereignty. It is deception to tell that sovereignty doesn’t exist and Eezham Tamils should not claim for it. Conceding sovereignty to the Sinhala nation the Eezham Tamils could never be ‘equal citizens’ in the island.

While there are voices on ‘war crimes investigations on both sides,’ those who serve the agenda of ultimately diffusing any investigation at all argue that even the TNA has to be investigated for not asking the LTTE to ‘release’ the people. Released to whom, and who would have taken the responsibility for the treatment meted out on to them as it happened in the barbed wire camps, are not in their questions.

Without any exception, all the Tamil parties and the entire diaspora that took to streets justly demanded the world to stop the war. Those who had no ability or willingness to stop the war now promote an argument for their escape that there was a ‘surrender plan’ but the LTTE turned it down.

“At the height of the mayhem, the rebels turned down an internationally meditated surrender plan brokered by Norway that would have stopped the killings. It could have saved thousands of lives,” writes former BBC correspondent Frances Harrison in her November 2012 book.

The argument earlier came from Norway’s Erik Solheim.

What was the ‘surrender’ plan, ‘surrender’ to whom and why this was not told to the hundreds of thousands that took to streets, nobody tells.

The affected party is still not free from the gag in the island and in the diaspora where they are still ‘terrorists’ to authentically tell the world what had happened. The doctors who were made to retract from truth are still kept gagged. But various books and reports appearing based on select affidavits of withheld identity is still the reality.

What is translated and promoted in Tamil, what is still not translated, are some matters that should be carefully scrutinized and subtly understood by the intellectuals and public in Tamil Nadu. One is yet to see a Tamil version of Malathy’s book, which has come with a foreword of Radha D’Souza. 

While the SL government directly and agencies of the ICE indirectly accuse the diaspora, the diaspora in truth is weak in even responding appropriately to the help call coming from the land where the uprising is inevitable, genuine and spontaneous. 

The diaspora’s unpreparedness and weakness to rise up to the occasion in a required way are thanks to the long preparation since the peace accord times and accelerated hijack in the last three-and-a half years by the outfits of the ICE and agents of Colombo in tandem.

But this cannot continue forever with the unfolding scenario in the island. Those who still have faith in following the ICE should at least be able to tell it that the advices that come from the groups it promote only invite the Eezham Tamils in the long run to direct their struggle directly against the ICE.
* * * Meanwhile, Douglas Devananda’s EPDP that once openly declared ‘collaboration’ with Mahinda Rajapaksa regime as the successful path advocated even by the USA, is now sidelined by the regime, news sources in Jaffna said.

The occupying regime now favours a new set of its own collaborators and Devananda struggles hard to prove his ‘collaboration credibility,’ the news sources said.

EPDP was once controlling the Jaffna University and its governing council. The Vice Chancellor herself had come to the position with the backing of the EPDP. But the collaborating party was kept in dark on the recent happenings in the university. The role was taken over by Sri-TELO.

When a meeting took place at the SLA base at Palaali, between the occupying SL Commander, Maj. Gen. Hathurusinghe and the university officials, the EPDP was not invited to it. 

Instead there was SLFP organiser Ankajan, his father Ramanathan, former SLFP organiser Velmurugu Thangarajah, coordinator of ‘Sinhala–Tamil Buddhists’ in Jaffna, Ramachandran and other new faces. They were presented as the ‘civil society’ to settle matters related to the university. 

Meeting between SLFP group [right] and the University delegation [left] at Palaali military base, co-chaired by Jaffna University VC Ms Vasanthy Arasaratnam and the SL military commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe at Palaali military base last week

Even the Vice Chancellor who came with the deans abandoned Douglas Devananda in dealing directly with the occupying military. 

Last week there was a function in Jaffna in which, Gotabhaya-led SL Urban Development Authority laid foundation to a guesthouse. The EPDP was not invited to the function. The function was participated by Hathurusinghe, Jaffna Mayor and the Ankajan group.

SL Military Commander Hathurusinghe with Ankajan Ramanathan and Jaffna Mayor Ms Patkunam Yogesawar

When the UN representatives visited Jaffna there was an effort to promote the Ankajan group as the ‘civil society’. But Douglas Devananda exerted and insinuated himself in presenting his ‘civil society’. His ‘civil society’ took an extra effort to prove the collaboration. Those who went as ‘civil society’ were recipients of many benefits from Devananda in the past. But some among them, like the Eurovile management, has also started to deal directly with Rajapaksa family, news sources in Jaffna said.

Meanwhile, Colombo has deep plans in handling the captured LTTE cadres, around two to three thousand of whom are kept as farm slaves under some former LTTE officials demoted earlier by Pirapaharan’s LTTE, the news sources further said.