Take a step back

By N.D. Sena – Ingiriya-2012-12-24 The only solution to what appears to be a standoff between the three arms of the government, the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary, is for one institution to take a step back in order to prevent the country from plummeting to a full-blown crisis situation, former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, said, in what appears to be an advice to the government. The Senior Minister of Good Governance and Infrastructure Development also said it is difficult to say who is at fault at the moment. Speaking at the opening of a road carpeted at a cost of Rs 20 million in Horana, Wickremanayake said anyone who is concerned about the future of the country should be able to take a step or two backward in the name of the country. "Development of roads and bridges is only one aspect of a country's development. But more importantly, one must create a society where people can live with dignity. In order to carry forward the development activities, all these responsible institutions must act with a sense of responsibility," he advised. The former Prime Minister also said the present situation in the country is extremely dissatisfying. "The country's administration lies on the three pillars, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. They should share equal powers and should not attempt to overrule one another. "Even though it is not clear who is right and who is wrong at the moment, one thing is clear and that is the situation in the country is fast deteriorating because of this," he added. Wickremanayake's advice comes at a time when the three leaders of the leftist coalition partners of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), have reportedly asked President Mahinda Rajapaksa to prorogue Parliament as a way out of the stalemate between the Judiciary and the Legislature, over the moves to impeach the Chief Justice. Leader of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and Minister Tissa Vitarana, Communist Party Leader and Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera, and Democratic Left Front (DLF) Leader and Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara have told the President that a prorogation will help ease the growing tension over the impeachment move and allow both sides to re-think the situation. Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, in a ruling in Parliament, earlier this month rejected the notices issued on him and the members of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) by the Supreme Court and had added that his ruling would apply to "any similar purported Notice, Order or Determination in respect of the proceedings of the PSC.

Increasing hubris, by which sin the angels fell

By Jehan Perera-December 24, 2012,

I had Ambition, by which sin
The angels fell;
I climbed and, step by step,
O Lord,

Ascended into Hell—W H Davies

Sri Lanka comes to the close of 2012 waist-deep in problems, not least those caused by extensive flooding in large parts of the country.  Hundreds of thousands of people in the central and north eastern parts of the country have been badly affected by the flood waters caused by incessant rains.  The misallocation of economic resources is made stark by reports of tax exemptions granted to night races.  In the midst of the social and economic catastrophe to the lives of a vast multitude of people, the government is also boasting that it will send a Sri Lankan astronaut into space in the next seven years with Chinese support, and the country has also in recent time launched a satellite. These projects do little to redeem the image of an over-concentration of power and the potential for abuses that arises therefrom in the presidential system.

But even more ominous from an overall governance perspective are the multiple political crises that have grabbed attention not only locally but also internationally. The main crisis is the one that has pitted the judiciary against the government.  But also significant are the ones that concern the effective closure of Jaffna University and the prospect of repeal of the 13th Amendment that devolved power to the provinces as a remedy against the over-centralisation of power in Colombo.  All three of these cases have not only led to domestic outrage amongst different sections of the population.  They have also attracted international attention that will not be favourable to the country.  As the year comes to a close there is no sign of a positive resolution to any of these crises, which bodes ill for the country in the New Year.

So far the position of the government is that the impeachment of the Chief Justice will proceed according to its interpretation of parliamentary powers.  However, the courts have said the judgment of the Parliamentary Select Committee that the Chief Justice is guilty of three charges leveled against her falls within the competence of the judiciary to review.  If the government refuses to accept this judicial pronouncement the Rule of Law would itself be in question.  A government that deems itself to be beyond the control of the judiciary would be a government that is out of control.  With much of the parliamentary opposition sitting with the government, the only remaining option would be people’s power which is a recipe for chaos. The basic principles of good governance, in which there is a separation of the judiciary, executive and legislature would be negated and with it the Rule of Law and the prospect of justice itself. 

VICIOUS CYCLE

The problem that has arisen over the arrest of Tamil university students in Jaffna is also a very serious one that is damaging to the prospects for inter ethnic reconciliation and national unity in facing the coming economic and international challenges in the New Year.  Over 40 families have complained to the Human Rights Commission that their children haven arrested by the security forces. There are reports that more than double that number may have been arrested.  They are suspected of being former LTTE cadre or sympathizers who were involved in lighting lamps of remembrance on LTTE Heroes Day.  Some of them have reportedly been sent for rehabilitation in camps meant for former LTTE cadre and the duration of their effective imprisonment therein is not known. The Human Rights Commission spokesperson in Jaffna has said that these arrests are legal since the families of those arrested have been provided with receipts that acknowledge the arrest.  But whether such arrests are within the spirit of the Rule of Law is the question.

In a replay of what happened over fifty years ago, there are non-violent demonstrations, or satyagrahas, taking place in Jaffna, which are being obstructed as occurred in the past.  It was the failure of peaceful protests against injustice to the Tamil people that led to support for violent insurrection.  The beginnings of a new vicious cycle can be seen at the close of the old year.  The Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission established by the government to ensure that there would be no repetition of the past recommended that there should be a political solution that included the devolution of power to the provinces.  However, in an apparent rejection of this recommendation the government is proposing to abolish the 13th Amendment that devolved power to the provinces.  Instead of implementing the 13th Amendment to permit a measure of self-rule to the Tamil people, the government is recentralizing power in Colombo and in particular, in the Presidency.  As a result, little of what the government needs to do in terms of inter ethnic reconciliation can be seen to be happening. 

The spirit of the LLRC report is also not at all visible.  More than actions, the LLRC commissioners wanted the spirit of reconciliation, of mutual understanding and of humility to be the key underlying themes of the government’s implementation of their report.  The failure by the government to implement the LLRC report can have long lasting international repercussions in the New Year, particularly in March 2013, when the UN Human Rights Council meets again in Geneva.  The Council members will undoubtedly look into the implementation of the LLRC report, which they mandated by a special vote in March 2012 over the Sri Lankan government’s strenuous objections.  There is the possibility of a stronger resolution being passed next year that might give a mandate to the UN itself to investigate what happened at war’s end and make recommendations, rather than to accept the LLRC version that is not being implemented.

COMMON ELEMENT

The common element that ties together the multiple crises in the country is that of the over-centralisation of power.  The political root of the conflict between the government and judiciary is the government’s unwillingness to accept the judiciary’s decisions that obstructed its plans for the future of the country.  The government leadership may have a belief that their total military victory over the LTTE, over the opposition and disbelief of others, can be replicated in other spheres of life.  They may also believe that their feat in ridding the country of the LTTE entitles them to run the country as they think fit.  However, political and decision making power in a democracy cannot be monopolized by a small group, even if they are the most capable people in the entire world.  Power in democracy has to be shared between several institutions and devolved to decentralized authorities. The judicial review of legislation, and checks and balances, are a part and parcel of democratic governance.

The struggle to prevent too much power being taken by any one person or institution is an ancient one.  In the Christian tradition, this can be traced back to the very beginning of time when, it is said, only the angels existed and the most beloved of them was Lucifer.  But Lucifer let his pride get the best of him, believed in his abilities and intelligence and tried to become God, and was cast out of Heaven together with those angels who followed him.  He suffered from the sin of hubris or pride.  By way of contrast, the birth of Jesus, which is celebrated at Christmas, is meant to be the celebration of humility.  Born in a manger where his companions were animals, his last journey was on a donkey into the capital city of Jerusalem, and not even on a horse (the elite mode of transport of that time).  His life was devoted to teaching and healing people by serving them and not by ruling over them.

A few days ago I attended a meeting called by the Conference of Major Religious Superiors where the situation of the country was discussed.  Some of the proposals made to improve it were to inspire those who could influence national policy to respect the laws and live according to democratic values, to love and forgive those who were considered as enemies, to teach children the problems faced by others, to learn more about the constitution of the country and to remember all who died in the war that ended three years ago.  If these are done in the spirit of the LLRC report, and adopted by the government and the political leadership of the country, there will be no cause for lamentations in the New Year in any sort of manner that echoes the biblical story of the fall from grace of the once great angel:  "How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how are you cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!" Isaiah 14:12

Removal Of The Occupying Sinhala Forces Is The Only Solution – Rudrakumaran

By Colombo Telegraph -December 24, 2012 

“The recent arrest of Jaffna University students has once again clearly demonstrated that as long as the Sinhala army is stationed in Tamil areas, the safety of the Tamils will never be guaranteed.” says Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran, Prime Minister of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam.

Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran - Prime Minister TGTE

“Today we are witnessing the worldwide phenomenon of students and youth standing up for their democratic rights. At various stages of the Tamil liberation struggle, the student community of Jaffna University too has played its part in speaking the voice of the Nation’s freedom. The emergence of Pongu Thamil as the just symbol of the Tamil Nation’s struggle also happened in Jaffna University from amongst a student community in the midst of military occupation.” issuing a statement he further says.

We publish below the full text of the statement

WE CONDEMN THE ARREST OF JAFFNA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND CALL FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE OCCUPYING SINHALA FORCES AS THE ONLY SOLUTION!

The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) has launched protests and demonstrations in Tamil Diaspora countries calling for the release of Jaffna University students arrested by the Sri Lankan forces and the complete removal of the occupying Sinhala forces from the Tamil homeland.

The recent arrest of Jaffna University students has once again clearly demonstrated that as long as the Sinhala army is stationed in Tamil areas, the safety of the Tamils will never be guaranteed.

While the Tamils overseas continue to clamor for justice in the international arena for the genocide perpetrated by the Sinhala forces in Mullivaaikaal, the structural genocide of Tamils in the homeland continues.

Whilst there may be a difference in the modes of operation between the genocide perpetrated by the Sinhala rulers in Mullivaaikaal and the present structural genocide of Tamils in the island, the complete annihilation of the Tamil Nation in the island of Sri Lanka remains as the sole purpose of their work of genocide.

Through the killing of tens of thousands of Tamils in Mullivaaikaal under the pretext of war, the Sinhala rulers were attempting to eliminate the Tamils’ quest for freedom, their identity as a distinct nation, and their political aspiration to establish an independent and sovereign state of their own. They were attempting to submerge the Tamil identity politics in the dominant stream of Sinhala majority. Yet, they have not managed to touch the political awareness of the people of Tamil Eelam.

There are two important features in the genocide endeavor of the Sinhala rulers while occupying the Tamil homeland. One is to erase all attributes of nationhood from the Tamils and the other is to compel them to surrender to Sinhala dominance and prepare to be assimilated. Both constitute the sinister designs of the Sinhala State to eliminate all traces of a Tamil Nation from the island of Sri Lanka.

It is imperative for their genocidal agenda that the Sinhala rulers eliminate all traces of democratic space in the Tamil homeland. To us, the present attacks and arrest of Jaffna University students have arisen out of the necessity to close down that democratic space.

Today we are witnessing the worldwide phenomenon of students and youth standing up for their democratic rights. At various stages of the Tamil liberation struggle, the student community of Jaffna University too has played its part in speaking the voice of the Nation’s freedom. The emergence of Pongu Thamil as the just symbol of the Tamil Nation’s struggle also happened in Jaffna University from amongst a student community in the midst of military occupation.

The intention of the Sinhala rulers in attacking the student body of Jaffna University today is to shutdown the democratic space available to them and to nip in the bud any opposition to the Sinhala genocide agenda that might gain foot amongst Jaffna youth. It is therefore imperative that all Tamil entities in the homeland and overseas launch a determined struggle against the anti-democratic forces in Sri Lanka and enlist the support of the international civil society including Sinhala people for such a struggle.

The demonstrations and protests undertaken by the Tamil Diaspora condemning the attack on the student community of Jaffna University will convey the message of solidarity to the students and the Tamil people in the homeland. The TGTE stands alongside the Tamil Youth Organization which is spearheading the protests overseas.

The youth caucus of TGTE is taking action to galvanize support for the ongoing struggle of Diaspora Tamils and to take it to other dimensions through the use of social media and in working with the Tamil Youth Organization.

As long as Sinhala forces retain their hold on the Tamil homeland, there will not be any democratic space or a sense of security for Tamils. It is only through a complete withdrawal of Sinhala forces from Tamil homeland that there will be peace and security for Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka. Until such time, there is need for an interim measure in the form of an International Protection Mechanism to be established and guarantee the security of the Tamils in their homeland. The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam will work unceasingly to mobilize the necessary international support for such a Protection Mechanism.

The Thirst of Tamils is Tamil Eelam

Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran

Prime Minister

TGTE

More than 40,000 died in end stages of Sri Lanka war: Book

December 24, 2012 

New Delhi, (IANS) A book by a former BBC journalist based on interviews with those who survived the Sri Lanka war says more than 40,000 civilians died in the end stages of the bloody conflict.

Frances Harrison’s “Still Counting The Dead” (Portobello Books) says the world turned a blind eye to the tens of thousands of civilian deaths in Sri Lanka’s northeast “in the space of just five months in 2009″.

The 259-page book, a chilling account of the war that finally destroyed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), says a UN panel later found reports of up to 40,000 dead credible.

But “there are signs that the final death toll could be a lot higher”, Harrison says.

The journalist, who was based in Colombo when the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government were locked in a peace process that later collapsed, quoted the UN as estimating that at least 100,000 perished in the four decades of war. This figure is “roughly equivalent to the numbers who died in the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s”.

Harrison’s book is an account of some of the Tamil men and women – mostly civilians – who recount the death and destruction the Sri Lankan military caused as it vanquished the LTTE.

“It is an account of the victory from the perspective of the defeated,” she says. “Yes, some in this book were terrorists or their sympathizers but by no means all.”

The book quotes survivors – now scattered in the West – as saying that as the conflict neared its end in May 2009, “stench of decomposing flesh and burning tyres hung in the air, mixed with cordite, sweat and the tang of human fear”.

She recalls how those civilians who survived made it to the nearest military camp – to surrender.

“They made a long march up the coastal road to an army camp, traversing a living hell, their bare feet stained with human blood.

“Around them fires were still burning, and limbless, decomposing corpses lay under vehicles or alongside bunkers. “A priest said he personally saw thousands of dead on that journey, most of them civilians, not (LTTE) fighters.”

When the frightened and barely living survivors reached the military camp, a Sinhalese soldier jeered: “We have killed all your leaders and you are our slaves.”

The book goes on: “As the survivors were driven out of the war zone later that night, they saw hundreds of naked male and female bodies lined up on the ground, illuminated by lights powered by generators.

“The victorious soldiers were using their mobile phones to take trophy photos of the dead rebels.”

With the LTTE rapidly retreating before meeting its end, medics who still remained in the shrinking war zone performed amputations “with no anaesthetic, and watching half their patients die”.

Harrison says the Sri Lankan way of dealing with terrorism involved “scorched-earth tactics, blurring the distinction between civilians and combatants, and enforcing a media blackout”.

She says China, Russia, Pakistan, India and Iran were among the staunchest supporters of Colombo when the war raged. “Today, the same countries protect Sri Lanka from war-crimes investigation.”

Harrison is harsh on the Tigers too – and their supporters.

“On the Tamil side, there needs to be an honest rethinking of the unquestioning support for the rebels.”

She says the LTTE leadership cynically controlled the movement of innocent civilians during the end stages of the war, exposing them to horrors and hoping their appalling images of suffering would move the world to intervene.

“In the end, all the top Tiger leaders were wiped out anyway and the movement destroyed. It was just much bloodier than it needed to be.”

BBC Editor Uses BBC Resources To Cover Up Personal Misconduct

By Colombo Telegraph -December 24, 2012

BBCs Chandana Keerthi Bandara is using BBC resources to defend himself the Colombo Telegraph can exclusively reveals today.

Bandara used BBC phone lines yesterday to call several well-known intellectuals urging them not to share Colombo Telegraph stories related to his misconduct as a BBC journalist on Facebook.

Bandara

Sunday afternoon as soon as Bandara came to BBC he rang several intellectuals and political commentators around the world requesting that he needed to talk to them and urging them to wait until he finished the programme. (He is the Sunday Editor of the Sinhala Sandeshaya) The move came after after the Colombo Telegraph announced that the leader of the party he belongs to (Nava Sama Samaja Party) Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne’s submissions will not be published for reasons of intellectual dishonesty and political irresponsibility with regard to Karunaratne’s attempt to cover up Bandara’s misconduct.

Sunday afternoon he rang several university teachers and activists both in Sri Lanka and elsewhere and admitted he applied for the government interest-free loans of Rs. 1,200,000/- from state banks to purchase cars or vans, where the interest will be paid by the Treasury using tax payer money along with some thousand plus applicants. He told them that the government approved the applications of some five hundred journalists. He had raised the question; ‘why is Colombo Telegraph targeting only BBC journalists?’ He then said they are campaigning for Tamil rights and accused Colombo Telegraph’s journalists of working against them. Naming one journalist who openly associates with Colombo Telegraph he said the Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremasinghe and Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, the Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives and founder member of the Board of the Sri Lankan chapter of Transparency International are friends of this particular journalist. He further said that this is why both Ranil and Saravanamuttu urged BBC to investigate its misconduct related to applying for this particular loan by its journalist.

In November 18 the the former head of the BBC Sinhala Service Vasantha Raja said; “I see this interest-free motor vehicle loan as a sort of a ‘bribe’. I don’t think it’s appropriate at all for a BBC journalist to take this. Obviously it will damage their credibility.”

Colombo Telegraph would like to clarify that we have no hidden agenda against the BBC or its journalists or any other media institution. (Colombo Telegraph the only Sri Lankan media organisation which has participated, talked, suggested amendments to the draft and signed the  London Statement: Demanding Strong UN Action To Stop The killings Of journalists, the BBC organised at its headquarters.) We see Sri Lankan government scheme as an attempt to purchase loyalty of journalists. In Sri Lanka there is ongoing censorship and media suppression.  This includes securing of media institutions by regime loyalists.  We also hold the view that media is largely corrupt.  We were therefore shocked when we found that BBC journalists also applied for loans. These applicants are signatories to BBC contractual caveats pertaining to integrity, including acceptance of gifts which could compromise independence and objectivity in reporting.

The question raised by many commentators is that if BBCs journalists have not done anything wrong why did Dr Vickramabahu Karunaratne phone the Leader of the Opposition and ask him not complain Lord Christopher Patten.

Meanwhile placing a comment under the article ‘No More Dr. Vickramabahu’s Columns’ A former professor of the University of Colombo, Dr Laksiri Fernando said; ‘If I remember correct, Keerthi Bandara is the person who once (January 2010) distorted my views on the presidential system (saying that I defended the system!) when he interviewed me from the BBC which in fact distorted my views. Then someone called ‘Citizen Somapala’ used it against me for a spicy story even challenging my teaching.’

Placing a comment under the same article Dr Karunaratne said; ‘thanks let the time resolve’ , he did not answer the questions Colombo Telegraph raised.

Asking for anonymity because he didn’t want to be targeted by the ‘laptop and interest free loan’ media November 23,  a UNP front line leader said; “Last Sunday (18^th Novemr) BBC Sinhala Service Colombo Reporter filed a distorted report on the Opposition Leader’s press conference and attacked him. The BBC didn’t report what the leader said in full and just criticised him for not answering BBC questions. The BBC even failed to report what the questions were.

Regime plots to murder a Tamil Minister and overturn the anti regime scenario
(Lanka-e-News-24.Dec.2012, 6.00PM) Since the much publicized and most hoped impeachment motion against the Chief justice (CJ) of the MaRa regime is by now moth eaten and is headed for a disgraceful fiasco , another conspiracy had been hatched by the regime to divert the attention away from it and towards a target which none could have imagined , according to inside sources of the regime passing information. The conspiracy is to assassinate a Tamil nationality Minister who is in the Cabinet hailing from the eastern province , and who is the center of much discussions. Towards this end , rumors are being circulated that a new Tamil Tiger Organization has sprung up in the north (which is an absolute fake )with a view to blaming the assassination on that so called terrorist Organization. 

It is learnt that this ‘contract’ had already been entrusted to a heartless bestial STF personnel . Lanka e news always first with the news and best with the views had already published a report regarding this brutal personnel. The regime aims at exploiting the huge controversy and unrest that would be triggered by this would be assassination to achieve its following dastardly and demonic objectives :

• First and foremost, by creating this environment of unrest and protests , it seeks to re introduce the emergency regulations necessary to suppress and stifle the huge growing opposition and monumental resentment against the Govt. it is expecting . 

• This Tamil Minister is now considered by the Govt. as having lost his usefulness to it , and to wipe out any evidence connected with the hitherto secretive and illicit deals entered into between itself and him .
• To divert the controversial , collapsing and moribund impeachment motion away from its original purpose .

• At the Human rights conference in March to point out there are terrorist threats in the country and capitalize on it.

• For the regime to save face, while also restore itself to its former apparently indispensable position among its rank and file , since the moth eaten impeachment motion is right now threatening to disgrace the regime as well as provoking bitter resentment against it among all.

It is reported that the last ground mentioned above is most urgent and paramount for the regime. 

We are exposing these conspiracies with a view to forestall the regime’s implementation of murderous and treacherous self centered despotic ambitions .

India Trudging To Be The Security Provider!

By Austin Fernando -December 24, 2012

Austin Fernando

An American scholar has said that India has a long way to go before it becomes the security provider that Washington and rest of Asia hope India will become.  He stressed that it requires “much more than a large defense acquisition budget and occasional military presence to develop a credible and capable defense force”. However, as an observer I note that there is a planned movement towards military cooperation, orchestrated with recurring dialogues at highest advisory levels between US and India.

The quoted study added that India has key lacunas in defense modernization, before it becomes a world class military force that can become “a provider of security.” I am perturbed. I thought India is world class and I believe I am correct!

He maintained that “the recent weapons procurements, combined with episodic displays of Indian military presence through counter-piracy patrols, disaster response, high profile naval exercises, and port visits, have led many observers to opine that India will play a pivotal role in promoting security and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region.” The researcher has discounted military commanders’ visits like that of General Bikram Singh to Colombo right now and Admiral DK Joshi some time back!

It is of interest that India’s defense modernization challenges are discussed under four dimensions which will be educative and comparative to Sri Lanka. The researcher called these the “Four P’s” and will be discussed with relevance to Sri Lanka.

Public Apathy

Public apathy emanates from political angles. The research says that Indian elections are not won or lost on politicians’ knowledge (or lack thereof) about defense and foreign policy. The electorate demands are personalized and focused on immediate needs like access to basic needs and not on the promotion of the nation’s defense. Therefore, their interests are less on Indian defense strategy and modernization. Even among the wealthier strata the focus is usually on facilitating greater business and trade opportunities, rather than a muscular defense policy.

The notable exception to this is when defense acquisitions become tainted with corruption. Indian politicians are extremely sensitive to any hint of corruption in defense scandals. It is said that Defense Minister MK Antony, a Gandhi family loyalist, is always on guard against any hint of corruption that might taint the Congress Party and its future and this has made defense deals slow to materialize. Though India’s global influence required an ardent public debate about India’s defense role in the world, other than relatively minimal strategic-minded thinkers, the Indian government has not engaged its public in a meaningful way about this.

Contrary to India the first P is notably observed in case of Sri Lanka which has no global or regional power intentions. India of course has regional “Big Brother” intentions. Sri Lanka concentrates in becoming the “Wonder of Asia” to become powerful through location and strategic development measures.

Due to the publicity generated and the lengthy period of waiting to erase terrorism the Sri Lankan politicians and even the common man were knowledgeable of the defense end result, but not the really intricate policies. The government focusing some attention also on immediate needs (e.g. roads, jobs) kept the masses happy during the conflict. Modernization and military strategy were known to a handful, especially by those in the defense establishment and the top hierarchy of the military, and hence was similar to India.

Due to this limited participation allegations of corruption were aimed at these few. This did not deter critics even to be nasty on new institutional arrangements introduced after 2005. The economic doom and peace making mood did not provide for large procurements from 2002-2005. Hence, the defense authorities were fortunate to be spared from vituperative criticism.

Additionally, since ‘supplements’ on corruption were mostly in English, the dialogue was limited like in India! The Indians had vociferous media establishments and a powerful judiciary and hence the defense authorities had to be extremely cautious than here.

Policy coherence

It is the second dimension. The researcher says “India is still unsure of the type of power it wants to become” and blames this uncertainty for “the lack of an effective and coordinated defense strategy that guides defense procurement, force structure, military deployments, and developing relationships.” He says that “Aside from its doctrine of ‘strategic autonomy’ that allows India the luxury of ‘omni-engagement’ while resisting excessively close partnerships or entangling alliances, India has yet to officially articulate its core interests through a publicly available national security strategy or defense strategy.”

This lacuna is explained as due to the reluctance to promulgate strategy partly due to the potential political controversy requiring India to make strategic choices and prioritize its interests and partnerships which may put New Delhiat odds with certain foreign capitals like Beijing, but also domestically with India’s leftists opposing closer U.S.-India ties.

In case of Sri Lanka there had been blowing hot and cold by Delhi. Delhi had been influenced by Tamilnadu politicians. However, due to personal familial reasons (e.g. Sonia factor) and past experiences (e.g. withdrawal of Indian Forces),India had to limit cooperation (e.g. selling non-lethal military material, intelligence sharing, maritime surveillance). But this pushed Sri Lanka to explore other sources like Chinaand Pakistan. The latter would have been happy to offer immediate support. This would have pressured New Delhi, but pushed Sri Lanka to be grateful to the “helping hands.”

Certainly, this has affected and may affect us in the future, not only militarily but even economically. This may force Indians also to look at other options in retaliation for closer ties (may be with theUS) or indirectly twist the arms of Sri Lanka, as done at the UNHRC last March, which can be repeated again.India’s “”strategic autonomy” and “omni-engagement” may be exhibited in this manner!

Procurement Reform

The researcher pinpoints that as India modernizes its defense forces, it realizes the need to reform its procurement processes and adds that India’s defense acquisition stymies the ability to timely obtain the needed hardware, which prevents spending the total budget provision. This inability to quickly procure defense equipment can be attributed to several factors including excessively bureaucratic procedures, insufficient bureaucratic capacity, and concerns about the perception of corruption that can scuttle defense deals, if there are charges of irregularities, the research said.

Due to India’s inability to produce all its own defense equipment, it has been forced to rely on foreign acquisitions. India has attempted to streamline its procurement process and increase transparency through its Defense Procurement Procedure, which is regularly updated reflecting acquisition procedures reforms.

One major problem with India’s procurement system according to the study is the gearing towards established criteria, rather than obtaining equipment that provides best value. Until an expeditious, fully transparent system undergirded by a philosophy of procuring best value systems is established India will continue to face challenges in procuring needed equipment, the research said. India has commenced this but has a long way to go.

Sri Lanka has developed other systems that were required to keep secrecy, need evaluation, procurement conditions etc but has faced wild criticisms. But when the final outcome of wiping terrorism is considered the defense authorities must be satisfied with the end result. In developing countries there had been complaints of corruption and even India is not devoid of them, e.g. Bofours deals during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure and even later.

Personnel challenges

Any military will require modernization and technically competent manpower. It is a responsibility of a country’s education system. Competition from the other economic sectors for educated technically qualified personnel complicates Indian military’s recruiting challenge. The study says that this competition for talent has manifested itself through significant shortfalls in the numbers of officers for all Services.

In addition to salary, the erosion of high status for the military officers due to India’s growing wealth has brought alternative opportunities for wealth and status generation. The report highlights that the Indian Army being plagued by corruption scandals recently at the general officer level, reported instances of enlisted (other ranks) personnel mutinying etc that has made the General Bikram Singh to emphasize on restoring good order and discipline, integrity and morale in the Army.

Some of these challenges are common to Sri Lanka too, though for instance military personnel have been found to be receiving new assignments hitherto unheard. However, there is demand for demilitarization and demobilization made several sources. At a time where ‘deserters’ have intruded in to criminal activities, it will be problematic to let loose military personnel without a plan. The researchers who have shown evidence of post conflict trauma incidents hint the need for methodical actions.

Conclusion

The researcher has concluded that India has the ability to meet these challenges and that “this ability is not just an issue for curious policy study, but, instead, has high stakes for Asia’s bet that India will become a democratic force for stability and security in Asia’s coming century”.

I do not think that in this movement India has a “strategic autonomy” or “omni-engagement” walk-over due to other influences that have been developing over time. One may question whether the strategy development had been highly bureaucratized as against politically strategized. Another issue may be whether  Chinese engagements would bar Indians weakening in becoming a democratic force for stability in Asia. The emerging Indo-US military and economic cooperation if properly managed may be a way out.

In that background countries like Sri Lanka who do not possess such large economic and military power may have to balance and play another strategic game rather than being unnecessarily committing itself, as it is not only the military strength that matters to us, but economic and international influences which could mar also the country’s development and political stability.

This approach is not only due to the quoted Four Ps. One must be mindful of the  growing concerns in India having crossed China recently on its presence in South China Sea and more so due to the emerging thinking orchestrated as recently as December 18^th 2012 in which another researcher has stated “ New Delhi, which so often likes to sit on the margins and avoid taking sides, must assume it can no longer afford the luxury of inaction if it wants to preserve credibility as a significant actor in both East and Southeast Asia.” Whether this message is heard clearly is yet to be seen and it is best we hear it sooner than later.

*Austin Fernando- Former Secretary Defence

The ‘Tamil Nadu Factor in China’s Naval Basing Ambitions in Sri Lanka

Foreign Policy Research Institute

Mark J. Gabrielson, Joan Johnson-Freese

December 2012

China’s capabilities for naval force projection in the Indian Ocean are dependent on closer Sino-Sri Lankan relations, relations not benefitting India given long-standing Sino-Indian disputes. The Sino-Indo-Sri Lankan geostrategic relationship, in turn, is curiously dependent on the political influence of domestic Tamils in New Delhi. Tamils living in India, motivated by continuing animosities over Sri Lankan Tamil rights, are complicating New Delhi’s policies towards Colombo by narrowing India’s Sri Lanka foreign policy options. Hence, domestic political dynamics are compromising India’s ability to counter China’s deepening relationship with Sri Lanka, including the Chinese navy’s utilization of the new port at Hambantota, Sri Lanka, thereby ultimately impacting the balance of naval forces in the Indian Ocean.

The state of Tamil Nadu is in southeast India, separated from Sri Lanka by the narrow Palk Strait. It is a large and economically important state.[2] US Secretary of State Clinton acknowledged Tamil Nadu’s political importance by a 2011 visit.[3] The majority of the state’s residents are ethnic Tamil Hindus, compatriots of the suppressed Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka lies directly north of the busiest shipping routes in the Indian Ocean, routes supporting both Indian and Chinese industrialization and growth. Eighty percent of China’s hydrocarbon imports from the Middle East pass within 50 nautical miles of the island.[4] Chinese trade with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations through the Indian Ocean littoral increased from approximately $3.0 billion in 1995 to over $65 billion in 2008.[5]Chinese trade with Africa reached $160 billion in 2011, up 60% over 2009.[6] This trade all flows past Sri Lanka’s southern coast.

China is now the largest foreign aid provider to Sri Lanka, rising from 17.7% of foreign aid commitments and credits in 2007 to 44.2% in 2009.[7] China has pledged more than $3 billion for infrastructure development, maintenance and other projects.[8]

To counter China’s increasing influence, India has deployed Airborne Warning and Control Systems and Agni-III missiles with a range of 3,500 km in its northern region. Additionally, the Indian Navy has plans to base an aircraft carrier in the Bay of Bengal, north of Sri Lanka.[9] For its part China is pursuing a “string of pearls” strategy by strengthening facilities and access arrangements in the Indian Ocean, including new ports on the Pakistani coast at Gwadar, Chittagong in Bangladesh, and Hambantota in Sri Lanka.[10]

China’s activities in Sri Lanka indicate that China, according to one Indian naval officer, is ready to “drop anchor at India’s southern doorstep.”[11] The port at Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka is being constructed and funded by China. Hambantota’s three wharves lining the interior turning basin are each approximately one- quarter mile in length, comparable to the single wharf constructed at Gwadar, Pakistan and to the longest wharf at US Naval Station Norfolk. This basin will be capable of handling three Panamax or two Capesize merchant ships. They also offer sufficient space to dock Kiev-class sized aircraft carriers like those currently being developed and deployed by China.

Two political parties—the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam)—dominate Tamil Nadu politics. Each competes for votes by the degree to which they support Tamil nationalism and rights, both in India and Sri Lanka. The DMK is a critical coalition member of the governing, but shaky, United Party Alliance (UPA) in New Delhi.[12] The UPA holds only 262 of 500 seats in the lower house of Parliament. The DMK accounts for 18 of those seats.[13]DMK members have a history of joining and departing coalitions. DMK’s withdrawal from the UPA would reduce the UPA’s seats to below the 251 seats required for a majority, possibly forcing early elections.[14] Harvard University history professor Sugata Bose noted: “It is inconceivable that India could have a stable central government without the support of the Tamil in India”.[15] Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, from the Centre for Policy Alternatives (Colombo) has said that India’s policy alternatives towards Sri Lanka are limited by “…the signal fact that…the political pressure from Tamil Nadu exerted on politicians in New Delhi, India must strive to support Sri Lanka’s Tamils, even as it competes with China and Pakistan for friendship with Colombo’s Sinhalese authorities.”[16]

India’s response choices to gradually deepening Sino-Sri Lankan relations are limited. It can stay the current course; which means do nothing, likely resulting in the gradual capture of Sri Lanka into a tighter Chinese orbit and the eventual visiting, perhaps even basing, of Chinese naval assets in Hambantota. The second is to present a more belligerent face towards Sri Lanka and its Chinese benefactors. That could accelerate Sri Lanka’s move towards China in an effort to offset India’s grasp for regional hegemony. The third would be to aggressively develop closer relations with the Sri Lankan government through a dramatic expansion of aid, cultural exchange and economic integration (including a long-planned bridge across the Palk Strait). However, given the strong ant-Sri Lanka government sentiments in Tamil Nadu and the disproportionate leverage held by Tamil Nadu coalition members in New Delhi, this is highly unlikely to occur within this election cycle. Hence the domestic political complications imposed on New Delhi by the Tamil Nadu political faction is heightening the likelihood that Chinese warships will be visiting or based in southern Sri Lanka in the near future.

Daily three female Jaffna university students called. Terrorism police persecution continues

Monday , 24 December 2012

Jaffna university students are endlessly under interrogation by the Terrorism Investigation unit police.

 

Mainly investigations against female students have increased. Daily about three female students are called for inquires to Vavuniya. 

 

Jaffna university Teachers have informed that the students called for inquires is informed to the parents, hence the details of how many students faced interrogation is unable to assess.

 

They further informed after the arrest of Jaffna university students union members by the Terrorism Investigation unit police, daily male and female students are called for inquires to Vavuniya. They are under interrogation for many hours.

 

 

Four female students were called for inquires last week by the Terrorism police, later informed that  only two female students should come to face the inquiry, and the other two are not necessary was notified by the Terrorism Investigation unit police.

 

However, the two female students who were abstaining from attending the inquiry were called the next day to Vavuniya by the police and were interrogated.

 

According to the information we received, the day before that specified day, 5 females’ students and the next day two female students and the following day three female students were called for inquiries.

 

Even male students are daily called for inquiries.  Police are contacting the students over the telephone and by mails without channeling through the university administration for inquires.

 

Therefore the actual figure of the students faced interrogation is not able to state. However it is confirmed that students are called for inquires was mentioned by University Teachers.