Sinhalese Buddhists are concerned bec Muslims are being radicalized and transformed into “exclusivity” - State media

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

Laws and religion - some concerns of Sinhala Buddhists by Shenali Waduge in Ceylon Daily News

Yes, the Sinhalese Buddhists are concerned. Do they have reason to be? Yet the concerns of Buddhists are never given an unbiased voice in the mainstream media and instead Sinhalese Buddhists are labeled as “racist”, “extremist” and even “militant”. Their version also needs to be heard.

There is little debate to overrule or challenge the historical place of Sinhalese evident in the population demographics through history. It was the Sinhalese patriots and the Buddhist kings who had protected the nation from enemies (except for Don Juan Dharmapala who betrayed the nation, the Sinhalese and Buddhism). With over 74 percent Sinhalese – 14.8 million people of a total 20 million it is unfair to undermine and overrule the place of the Sinhalese Buddhists in Sri Lanka. There is little to challenge that freedoms and rights have been enjoyed by Tamils 11 percent and Muslims 9 percent and it is because of the rights they enjoy that minorities have been able to openly bring up issues.

Living in harmony
Every person born as citizens of Sri Lanka has to abide by the law of the land which applies to all equally. The Sinhalese Buddhists are concerned because of a new wave of “isms” attempting to dislodge the peace that prevailed historically.
For attempting to ward off these radical elements, to warn the natives of the ultimate outcomes has left Sinhalese being branded as “extremists” and “racists”.
The question is - on what grounds should a parallel law suddenly emerge to be accepted by all when it is not applicable or relevant to over 90 percent of the Sri Lankan populace? This clearly conflicts with the legal decisions of the laws relevant to all citizens. No society can function effectively with a parallel quasi-legal system with some people having in practice, diminished legal rights because of their religion.
Buddhist cultural heritage
Sinhalese Buddhists are concerned because Buddhist cultural heritage is being destroyed, Buddhist archeological and historical cultural monuments are being destroyed.

Sinhalese Buddhists are concerned because the Muslims they were peacefully living with are being radicalized and transformed into adopting a new wave of “exclusivity” evident by the increasing numbers of women in black attire, exclusive Muslims schools springing up.

Read more »

Chandrika in undisclosed discussions with Indian hierarchies in New Delhi

The present human rights crisis in Sri Lanka, government's reconciliation activities including some vital issues and the government's inadequacies would be extensively discussed during the discussions.

 

UN human rights assembly's sessions is scheduled to be held in March month in Geneva, and  concerning Sri Lanka issue,  which sort of role it should take is severely analyzed by India, hence concerning this issue, India has conducted clandestine discussions with Sri Lanka's former President Chandrika Kumarathunga.

 

The former President Chandrika Kumarathunga recently visited India on a diplomatic level tour, and she met the vital officials of that country, and held discussions regarding Sri Lanka.

 

On the invitation of Indian government, she had visited India is according to information, but concerning this, it was not known officially.

 

Indian External Affairs Minister Kurshith Sharma, Ministry Secretary Ranjan Maathai, National Defense Advisor Sivashankar Menon including high level officials from Delhi administration, was engaged in discussions concerning Sri Lanka issues.

 

During this discussions on behalf of India, high level diplomats who are handling the Geneva issues, too were present is according to Delhi information.

 

The current human rights issues in Sri Lanka, government's reconciliation activities including some vital issues, the government's inadequacies were in detail discussed.

 

Severe disappointment to the government

 

Mainly the present government activities in Sri Lanka is publicly criticized by former President Chandrika and Indian high level officials holding discussions with her  have caused serious discontent to the government.

 

Before the visit of External Affairs Minister G.L.Peiris to India, to clarify the conditions here, the Delhi administration has acquired the required information from Sri Lanka's former President, has generated problem to the government.

 

At the time the Geneva sessions getting closer, the above meetings are much significant is considered.

 

Meanwhile the Geneva session is scheduled to be held in the month of March, and India is analyzing at the diplomatic level,  what sort of decision to be taken concerning Sri Lanka issue.  At the last held 19th human rights assembly sessions, the resolution brought against Sri Lanka by America, India supported is much noted.,

 

India supported to the motion against Sri Lanka, by holding discussions with America, activities were processed to convert into an unpretentious motion which is much aware.

 

In the meantime, only some weeks are remaining to commence the diplomatic debates in Geneva, Tamil National Alliance too has accelerated diplomatic activities to generate mayhem to the Sri Lanka government,. 

 

As a part of this, the Alliance parliament members are visiting foreign countries and holding discussions with the high level officials of the membership countries attached to the Human Rights Council.

 

Alliance will hold discussions with the America's three members’ diplomatic panel after its tour to Sri Lanka, and commence its foreign journeys  is according to reports. 

Saturday , 26 January 2013

No LTTE surrendee went missing - Gotabaya Rajapaksha

No LTTE surrendee went missing - Gotabaya Rajapaksha

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2013

No LTTE cardre that surrendered to the Security Forces during the final stage of the humanitarian mission went missing, Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said.
Commenting on allegations levelled by certain foreign elements that some of the LTTE fighters that surrendered to the Security Forces during the last phase of the humanitarian mission had gone missing, the Defence Secretary said all allegations are baseless and every since LTTEer who surrendered was rehabilitated and reintegrated to society. 

The Defence Secretary was addressing media at the Defence Ministry yesterday. Recommendations of the Sri Lanka Army report as prescribed in the National Action Plan were handed over to the Defence Secretary by Army Commander Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya. The recommendations were made by a six member board of Army officers appointed by the Army Commander.

The Defence Secretary said when the three-decade long war ended in May 2009, around 11,800 LTTE cadres surrendered to the Security Forces. All surrendees underwent a proper rehabilitation programme under the guidance of the Defence Ministry. After the successful rehabilitation programme, all surrendees were reintegrated to society. Prior to the reintegration, those who surrendered received vocational training during their rehabilitation to learn skills that could find them employment once they are reintegrated into society, the Secretary said.

He further added, of the over 11,600 former rebel cadres that surrendered to the military at the end of war in 2009, almost all have been reintegrated into society and are playing a fruitful role in society. The Sri Lanka military forces are highly professional and well disciplined.

“No war can be won without professional and disciplined military forces. During the humanitarian mission, we fought professionally and in a disciplined manner. No unprofessional army has ever won a battle anywhere in the world. We have proved that the the humanitarian mission was carried out by a highly professional and disciplined force” Secretary Rajapaksa noted.

He said after the humanitarian mission, the forces are immensely engaged in bringing normalcy to the war affected areas. Over 75 percentage of the de-mining activities were carried out by the Security Forces. Displaced persons have been settled even in the area where final battle was fought.

Speaking further on rehabilitation, the secretary said as an index how successful the rehabilitation and reintegrated process had been, the Security Forces were now engaged in assisting the war affected to resume their normal lifestyle. Accordingly, the Security Forces are in the process of developing infrastructure and other facilities, including housing, health, farming, etc while wining harts and minds of the people.

Answering a question raised by a journalist, the Defence Secretary said security was the prime concern of the countery. All the troops cannot be vacated from the areas where terrorism once thrived.

The board has at the very outset observed that most of the recommendations made by the LLRC such as resettlement of IDPs, rehabilitation of ex LTTE cardres, disarming militant groups, de-mining etc have already been implemented. With regard to the presence of military bases in the North and East, the board observes that the government has an absolute right to maintain its armed forces anywhere in the country according to the country’s strategic and security needs. However, the board notes that military bases are located causing minimum inconvenience to the public and in the aftermath of the humanitarian operation, all high security zones and many lands previously occupied by the armed forces have been released to the public. Moreover, only lands that are vitally required for security purposes are to be retained and such lands legally acquired at the market value and in addition owners will be given alternative lands.
Dharma Sri Abeyratne

78,000 affected by floods in Batticaloa, Ampaa'rai, 46 DS divisions under water

[TamilNet, Friday, 25 January 2013, 21:37 GMT]
The normalcy in the districts of Ampaa'rai and Batticaloa in the Eastern province has been severely disrupted due to heavy rain with strong winds. 300mm rain was recordered in the Ampaa'rai district on Friday and 230 mm rain in Batticaloa district, according to Meteorological sources. One fatality was registered at Poaratheevup-pattu in Batticaloa district. Totally, 78,467 persons have been affected in both the districts, officials said adding that 21 DS divisions in Ampaa'rai district and 14 DS divisions in Batticaloa district have been under water for several hours. 35 families were rescued from an entire village, Veaththuch-cheanai, that has been submerged in floods in Vellaave'li division of Batticaloa district. All transport from Batticaloa city to Paduvaankarai and Vaakarai regions has come to a standstill. 
 Food crops destroyed by torrential rain in Ampaa'rai

Roads affected by floods in Batticaloa

Floods in Ampaarai district

Thousands of acres of paddy crops awaiting harvest at any time have been submerged in flood water in the two districts. 

The transport to the Vaakarai has been completely cut off due to the collapse of the Panichchangkea'ni Bridge that leads to Koa'ralaip-pattu North. 

Reports further said that Chiththaa'ndi, Mu'rakkoddaangn-chenai and Maavadi-vempu villages in the Ea'raavoor-Chengkaladi DS division have been submerged in flood water.

Thousands of people have been displaced seeking refuge in houses belonging to their relatives and friends.

A vehicle was washed away by flood water while on its way to Anuradhapura at Black Bridge along Ma'ndoor-Vellaave'li Road Friday around 5:00 a.m. 

Twenty four persons travelling in the vehicles were rescued and the vehicle was also recovered later. 

All roads that lead to Paduvaan-karai through Ka'luvaagnchik-kudi Bridge, Amplaanthu'rai Road, Vavu'na-theevu Bridge, Manmunai Road, Kiraan Bridge and Chanthive'lith-thu'rai remain closed due to the floods. 

77 houses have been fully destroyed and 157 houses have sustained damage, according to the data registered so far, according to disaster management officials in both the districts. 

More rain is expected in the coming days, according to disaster management officials in the East.

A village submerged in flood waters in Batticaloa

Settlement dragging, will be complained to the international sector - Suresh MP

We would notify to the international countries in the forthcoming days, concerning Mahinda government's dragging in the political settlement issue, and the forces disorderliness in the north and east.

 

This statement was made by Tamil National Alliance, Media spokesperson and parliament member Suresh Premachandran.

 

Suresh Premachandran two days back toured to Germany said, currently in Sri lanka, forest rule is occurring. Judiciary is dead. Human rights violations are totally violated. Due to these, the future of the people of this country is a question mark.

 

Tamil youths in the north and east and university students are continuously threatened by forces, intelligence unit personnel, and sub-groups. They are getting attacked, arrested and abducted.

 

They are not produced in courts.  44 persons were arrested within last 50 days in the north are detained at Booza camp was notified by the Jaffna human rights commission. None of them were produced in courts by the government.

 

Meanwhile Jaffna university student’s union secretary and arts faculty students union leader were in the name of rehabilitation are continuously detained at the Welikanda camp.

 

In this situation, the Tamil people’s lands in the north and east are grabbed by the forces according to instructions given by Mahinda government. This government is accomplishing what it thinks. It is operating with arrogance as none is to question.

 

Meanwhile Mahinda government is backing to discuss in the issue of a political settlement to the racial crisis. Tamil National Alliance's opinions were not heeded by this government.

 

Hence concerning the political settlement issue, the Mahinda government is dragging. The disorderliness of forces in the north and east, we being the Tamil National Alliance will brief the international countries in the forthcoming days. 

 

We would travel to the international countries and notify the high officials of that country that Tamil people’s desire is to acquire a settlement through an international mediator. Hence international countries should pressurize Sri Lanka government which we will inform; hence we will not in future, trust the Mahinda government for discussions.

 

 Due to the forest rule existing in Sri Lanka, it is a question mark, whether Commonwealth conference will be held in Colombo this year. Further at the forthcoming March month Mahinda government will face severe crisis at Geneva was further mentioned by Suresh. 

Saturday , 26 January 2013

SL concerned about ‘Leahy Law’ being used against senior military officers

US-Sri Lanka ties

January 25, 2013, 9:34 pm 

By Shamindra Ferdinando

An attempt was being made to deprive senior Sri Lankan military officers of an opportunity to follow top level command courses in the US on the basis of unsubstantiated war crimes allegations, authoritative government sources alleged.

They said that the government was aware of moves to reject senior military personnel citing the ‘Leahy Law,’ which prohibited US military assistance to foreign military formations that violate human rights.

Known by the name of its principal sponsor, Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, the provision could be used as a legal tool to bar senior Sri Lankan military personnel, defence sources said.

Asked whether the government was under pressure to name only those acceptable to the US, sources said that respective service commands were responsible for choosing the best possible candidate for the available courses.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on Thursday said that he would take up the issue with visiting US delegation over the weekend. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State James Moore, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Vikram Singh, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jane Zimmerman are scheduled to visit Colombo and Male from today till Feb. 1.

Redoing Anthem will create problems: Warning from Buddhist Prelate

The Mahanayake of the Ramanna Nikaya Most Venerable Napana Premasiri Thera said that reconstituting the National Anthem with Tamil verses would only give rise to unnecessary problems in the country.

 

The Thera speaking at a ceremony at the Udalanka Pirivena in Madawala, Ulpatha said that he was expressing strong dislike of the Maha Sangha regarding any such move.

 

The National Anthem of Sri Lanka was created in the 1940s to represent all communities in the country. This originates brotherhood feelings among the ethnic groups in the country.

 

It depicts the cultural and civilizational heritage of the country. All communities respect the present national anthem and it has led to solidarity among all.

 

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Minister Wimal Weerawansa had objected to this.

 

I am objecting the redoing Anthem of Sri Lanka and if any redoing should occur in the National Anthem, initially two third majority should be acquired at the parliament or opinion voting should be conducted was stated by him.

 

Some Buddhist Sinhala groups have already objected to this proposal.

 

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Minister Vasudeva Nanayakara has submitted a proposal to include Tamil language in the Sri Lanka National Anthem to bring harmony.

 

Sri Lanka Minister Vasudeva Nanayakara has made a proposal for the Anthem to play in two languages on the forthcoming Sri Lanka's Independence day,  February 4th,  and strong resistance are from the southern Sinhalese chauvinistic. 

Saturday , 26 January 2013

Clock ticking for SL at Commonwealth

By Ranga Jayasuriya-2013-01-26   Sri Lanka appears to have avoided the prospects of an emergency meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group(CMAG), but the country would feature in the regular CMAG meeting scheduled for March and the forthcoming visit by the Commonwealth Secretary General would set the tone for the CMAG response, well-placed government sources said. Sources suggested the delay in the emergency meeting was to facilitate the visit by Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, who is expected to be here, next month. The visit would set the tone for the CMAG response to the sacking of Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, the source added. “Canada is pushing hard for an emergency meeting. They even want to get us expelled (from the Commonwealth),” the source said citing communications with the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper led the charge in the global condemnation against the impeachment of Chief Justice Dr. Bandaranayake, who was removed through a process deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. “The government would be happy that the regular ministerial meeting is two months away,” the source said. However, the deck is stacked against the regime in Colombo. The government has contended that the composition of the CMAG would be unfavourable to Sri Lanka. The current membership of the CMAG is: Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Jamaica, the Maldives, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu. The Maldives, one of the two South Asian members in the CMAG, has been suspended from the CMAG after the disputed ouster of former President Mohamed Nasheed. “Of course, there is Bangladesh, we can rely on. The rest of the others, Caribbean and African countries, would toe the Western line. Canada is powerful in terms of its soft power projection,” the source pointed out. CMAG has the authority to suspend member States deemed to have violated core principles of the 54 member nation association. Fiji, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Pakistan have earlier been suspended. While the Fiji remains suspended, Zimbabwe pulled out from the organization. Earlier, soon after the removal of Chief Justice Bandaranayake, the Commonwealth Secretary General said in a statement: "The dismissal of the Chief Justice will be widely seen, against the background of the divergence between the Judiciary and the Legislature, as running counter to the independence of the Judiciary, which is a core Commonwealth value.”

Sri Lanka Will Never Achieve The Projected 7.5% GDP Growth For 2013

By Hema Senanayake -January 26, 2013 

Hema Senanayake

This refers to RMB Senanayake’s response to Chandra Jayaratne. Chandra Jayaratne requested professional economists to explain whether Sri Lanka can achieve per capita GDP of $ 10,000/= by 2022 as claimed by Minister S.B Dissanayake. RMB Senanayake concluded as follows:

“So the growth rate projected by the Central Bank of 7.5% is possible but is it desirable for it risks a larger current account deficit which if there are not adequate foreign capital inflows could cause a serious balance of Payments crisis.”

I do not agree with this conclusion since it intimates that if the government takes the risk to have a larger current account deficit that Sri Lanka will achieve 7.5% growth for 2013. On the contrary my conclusion is that the country will never achieve a GDP growth of 7.5% for this year under the proposals made in the budget. Why I am saying this?

A fundamental principle in modern science is that “nothing will happen without the presence of necessary conditions.” The same principle applies in economics. The government has made the presence of necessary conditions to create a virtual balance of payment crisis in this year too. As a result we will never achieve the projected GDP growth of 7.5%.

Firstly, the government proposed in the budget for 2013 to reduce borrowing from foreign sources to Rs.86 billion which roughly amounts to $675 million from Rs.205.6 billion in 2012, which roughly amounted to $1.6 billion. This means that the government borrowed 2.5 times more in 2012, in U.S. dollar terms than the amount what is proposed to borrow for 2013. Still with such a higher amount of foreign loans, it has now been estimated that final GDP for 2012 came down to 6.5% from the estimated 8%. The whole dynamic and the high expectation for higher GDP growth changed with the balance of payment crisis triggered in the first half of last year. Finally the year 2012 ended up with heavily depreciated rupee and a GDP growth of around 6.5%. The reduction of foreign borrowing to $675 million is very unrealistic given the fact that foreign debt service payments amounts to $ 1.54 billion. So, by proposing to reduce foreign borrowings dramatically the government has now set the presence of the first necessary condition to create a balance of payment crisis.

But the government can avoid a balance of payment crisis if foreign direct investments (FDIs) are increased. But treasury secretary Dr. Jayasundera already admitted that FDIs down by 50% in 2012. The U.S. has already warned that foreign investors would be away from Sri Lanka if the independence of judiciary is not ensured. Apart from that the government killed the entrepreneurial enthusiasm by bringing the Expropriation Act in 2011. Foreign investors usually work with local partners and the capable local entrepreneurs are now downhearted. Given these factors there will not be a dramatic increase in FDIs in 2013. So, we now have the second necessary condition set in motion to create a balance of payment crisis.

Also if export sector does well, it helps to avoid a balance of payment crisis, as exports bring in dollars. Sri Lanka lost GSP facility granted by EU; this means potential exports to euro area cannot be realized than otherwise. Still major western economies are struggling to recover after the Great Recession of 2008. Increase of exports significantly to these main trading partners is not a possibility. So exports would remain stagnant or grow mildly. So we set the third necessary condition.

However, Sri Lanka can avoid a balance of payment crisis if expatriate workers increase their remittances hugely. Foreign remittances are still steady and likely to grow by around 20%. This is the only favorable factor that the government can rely upon. But this increase will not offset the reduction of borrowings, the reduced inflow of FDIs and stagnant exports.

Also if foreign purchases of stocks are more than the foreign sales then the country will have a net inflow of dollars; but this is limited to a couple of hundred million dollars in the best case scenario.

Apart from the above sources, banks’ foreign borrowings will bring in dollars to the country. My guess is that this year bank borrowing from foreign sources will be less than the previous year. Some times BOI companies do borrow in dollars. This also helps to bring in a couple of million dollars.

Those are the main factors that affect the balance of payment of the country. Out of these you see that government foreign borrowings play a huge role. If government did not increase foreign borrowings by 2 to 3 times than the proposed limit in the budget for 2013 then the government has to contain the private sector credit growth to an unprecedented low level to prevent a balance of payment crisis. In the event, it reduces the private sector economic activity and the resultant effect is the drastic reduction of GDP growth, probably below 5%. If credit growth is not reduced then there will be a balance of payment crisis that too will reduce the growth.

That is why I conclusively say that the government already risks a balance of payment crisis for 2013. The only way to avoid such a crisis is to borrow more, from foreign sources. Deviating from the approved budget for 2013, it has already been reported that Dr. P.B. Jayasundera is going to ask IMF to grant a new loan of $1 billion; compare this amount with the amount mentioned in the approved budget which is nearly $675 million.

Luckily for the government IMF is not weighing the independence of judiciary when approving loans.  Let us assume that IMF would approve a loan of $1 billion, still I guarantee that this amount will not be sufficient to avoid a full scale rupee crisis. The government will have to borrow from the international commercial market too. Please note that the government did not propose to borrow from international commercial market this year; a promise that the government cannot keep if it wants to avoid a financial crisis.

Hence the predicted GDP growth of 7.5% for this year will depend on the government’s ability to borrow heavily in USD terms, beyond the limit specified in the approved budget, period. I kindly request readers to keep an eye on my above prediction.

Alternate strategy is to get GSP facility to increase exports, increase FDIs, facilitate expatriate remittances and expatriate worker investments, to have non-manipulative stock market etc.; none of these are possible without us returning back to a functioning democracy; post war euphoria of economic growth prematurely ended due to bad governance.

America's approach flawed Gottabaya furious

America's approach with Sri Lanka after war is erroneous. To establish good relations among both countries the policies concerning Sri Lanka and America need to review was said by Defense Secretary Gottabaya Rajapakse.

 

He further mentioned at the journalist conference held at the Defense Ministry two days back said, America is in a prejudiced manner treating the Sri Lanka military officials which I wish to mention.

 

Every time I meet the American diplomats and officials they are stating that coordination with our military should be strengthened.

 

At the fourth stage of Eelam war, American armed forces to utilize Sri Lanka's facilities made an agreement. Accordingly, America is training the Sri Lanka forces.

 

Names of the senior military officials recommended by the Sri Lanka government for the courses in America for commanding officials level is rejected matter and  including controversial issues, will be discussed by me with the American panel which will arrive to Colombo.

 

Contrary to the statements notified at many instances that bilateral relationship is necessary with Sri Lanka, America is now functioning. On the basis of false information, the decision taken by America, is one example of former Rehabilitation Commissioner Major General Suthantha Ranasinghe issue.

 

Major General Suthantha Ranasinghe's name was recommended for the American training on the basis that he functioned as the Commanding Chief of the 53rd unit during war, was rejected by the American Embassy.

 

But he headed this regiment after the war came to an end in year 2009, month of May. The present Military Secretary and  Major General Suthantha Ranasinghe’s recommendation  was rejected is not an individual issue.

 

Such policies of America should be changed. India is giving training opportunities to 2800 from the Sri Lanka forces. The next is Pakistan, which provides training for 1000 forces, and the next is China.

 

China will allocate many places for the trainings for Sri Lanka forces.

 

If military training to America is completely stopped, the Sri Lanka officials can undergo their trainings at China, India and Pakistan.  This system was planned before the American officials visit.

 

They were scheduled to visit Colombo to attend the discussions held in last year December. At that time, their tour was postponed but the reasons were not notified by America was mentioned by him.

 

Saturday , 26 January 2013

Call for probe into fleeing of Iranian ship

SATURDAY, 26 JANUARY 2013 

Germany's DVB Bank said that it has asked for an investigation in Sri Lanka about the fleeing of detained Iranian ship in the Sri Lankan waters despite the court order, reuters reported.

Last week the Amina, another of the four, fled Sri Lankan waters after weeks of detention by its navy, acting on a court order obtained by DVB Bank. Sri Lanka's navy had fired warning shots earlier to prevent the vessel from leaving.

"We have already locally, as well as in writing, articulated our concerns to Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL)," Iris Schrecker, senior vice president with DVB Bank's group compliance office said, adding that the bank had not received any direct response to its enquiry about the Amina.

"We have asked for an investigation in Sri Lanka as to how she was able to flee. Our primary objective is either to obtain repayment or to get the vessel," Schrecker added.

Ship tracking data on Friday indicated the vessel was positioned close to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas after it had been located for several days off the coast of India.

Meanwhile, the bank also said it is holding an Iranian-owned dry bulk ship in China over debt payment claims, a senior bank official said on Friday, in a sign of growing pressure faced by Iran's fleet on top of Western sanctions.

The Uppercourt was arrested in the northern Chinese cargo port of Qinhuangdao in late November, said Iris Schrecker, senior vice president with DVB Bank's group compliance office.

The Uppercourt is one of four Iranian bulk ships DVB has been trying to seize.

Public shipping databases showed the vessel was managed by Tehran-based Rahbaran Omid Darya Ship Management, which the European Union and United States have said is a front for Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), Iran's biggest cargo carrier and subject to Western and U.N. sanctions.

"That (the vessel) is going through the normal commercial process of permitting IRISL to give their comments to the arrest ... and potentially then either making restitution or being auctioned off," Schrecker told Reuters.

"We still are in discussions with IRISL to find an amicable solution nonetheless for the bank."

Officials in Iran and China could not immediately be reached for comment.

An arrest occurs when a ship is detained by a court order to secure a maritime claim. The arrest may ultimately result in a judicial sale of the ship to pay the claim.

Only A Complete Restructuring Of The Sri Lankan State Will Bring Real Peace

By Ravi Kumar -January 25, 2013

Ravi Kumar

Tamil weekly Oru Paper interviewed Ravi Kumar, a senior leader attached to British Tamils Forum. Ravi Kumar,  who has been in Tamil Politics for over 30 years, is currently the coordinator of British Tamil Forum. He was in the LTTE negotiation team which  had several rounds of Talks with Chandrika’s government in 1994. Following are the excerpts of a telephone interview with Ravi.

Oru Paper: Your recent conference which was held in the British parliamentary complex was attended by some leading figures in the Tamil Polity, both in our homeland and abroad. However, there were mixed reactions about the conference from the diaspora. Are you satisfied with the outcome of the conference and the progress on the follow ups?

Ravi: It has been organised on a timely manner as part of our strategic initiative. We want to be proactive on pushing the struggle forward rather than reactive. Since May 2009 BTF’s human rights team in partnership with other country organisations has made significant inroads globally and in UNHRC Geneva. We understand that there will be a review process in the 22nd session of UNHRC which will give us an opportunity to expose further the Genocidal Sri Lankan state. We want to win friends for our struggle all around the world and elevate our just cause into the important global institutions. We have special relationship with Tamils in Tamil Nadu and other countries. A united call by the global Tamils through various responsible organisations representing 75 million Tamils would help to refocus our call for Justice.

Tamil Diaspora Organisations and Tamil political parties in Tamil Nadu and Island of Sri Lanka converged in London unanimously evolved a resolution based on a unique concept and agreed to work progressively towards the implementation of the resolution. Even after the conference, there are many organisations endorsing it. So far not a single responsible Tamil organisation spoke against it. At the initial stages some individuals tried to derail the process, but they realised the importance of such resolution in the aftermath of the conference. This is the very first time since May 2009 we brought all the Tamil diaspora organisations and most of the Tamil Political parties in Tamil Nadu and Tamil Eelam on a united platform.

We are putting lot of resources and time to follow up the resolution especially in Tamil Nadu because India is going to play a vital part in the forthcoming UNHRC session and in future. Tamil Nadu is an important partner to knock the doors of other states of India. We can see very interesting developments in India. We are hopeful that our call for Justice will open the doors of many powerful institutions and individuals there.

Oru Paper: Is the BTF still a member organisation of Global Tamil Forum?

Ravi: Yes and we were always supportive of their projects implemented in consultation and agreement with BTF.
BTF is one of the founder member organisations of GTF. We see GTF as an important globally recognised institution representing the Diaspora and it should continue to play a vital role taking our struggle forward with the support of the grassroots organisations including BTF and others around the world.  We should not deviate from the founding principles of this global institution.  Individuals may change but this institution will continue to serve the people until we have the freedom and justice that our people deserve.

We feel that GTF could be reformed to be much more open and accommodating the views of country organisations.

Oru Paper: If you are still a member organisation, does BTF participate in GTF’s decision making process?

Ravi: Unfortunately the answer is “NO”. To answer this question it is important to go back to post Mullivaikkal period and recollect our memories so that how the need of a global Tamil institution gave birth to the formation of GTF and started spearheading our struggle in an atmosphere of defeatism. In fact, those who participated in the World Tamil conference held in London in March 2009 organised by BTF started the initiative after May 2009. In 2009 BTF as one of the largest Diaspora organisation was instrumental in bringing 14 country organisations together to form GTF. In the formation stage, the spirit binding many grassroots organisations together was overwhelming. GTF, according to the vision of the founding member country organisations and constitution is not a top down organisation. It doesn’t have an executive Presidency or any other office bearer to make his/her own decision. Each member organisation need to provide a Director representing the country organisation’s view in the GTF Board which will run the day to day business. Country Director has to consult with his organisation before giving his consent to any major decision or project.

This is not the case since 2010 onwards. We sincerely tried to resolve this matter within the GTF board without being outspoken or hindering their on-going initiatives. We are still trying to engage with existing country organisations in GTF, not just for BTF but to bring the original founder member organisations back in GTF. We believe in democratic principles and transparency. We very clearly understand the difficulties in decision making on diplomatic issues while upholding democratic values and transparency. This shouldn’t be a stifling issue for the accommodation of number of country organisations in the GTF umbrella. We want an inclusive GTF and operate in a more democratic manner. While saying that we’ll continue to work towards the unity of the Tamil diaspora.

Oru Paper: In an interview to Oru Paper, Suren Surendiran, your representative to the Global Tamil Forumhas mentioned about coming to consensus amongst Tamils and Tamil speaking people through their political and non-political representatives in the Island and in the diaspora. In this context, we understand that GTF is going ahead with announcing a ‘Common Declaration’ next month. Assuming that you are aware about this move, can we ask you to tell our readers about this declaration?

Ravi: We want to clarify the matter of BTF representation to GTF at this point. BTF is a democratic body and its National Assembly members are elected by the people from every local forum. Assembly elects the executive committee and other representatives. Two of our senior members namely Raj Vakesan and Nad Mylvaganam were unanimously elected by the assembly to represent BTF at the GTF board, but the present board has failed to accommodate them. Any formal communication between BTF and GTF has to go through this arrangement.

BTF has not been officially approached by GTF Board of directors or any individual appointed on behalf of them to consult and agree on such consensus based declaration.

Oru Paper: Do you feel that it is fair to come up with a joint declaration involving Tamil political parties in the homeland, who are subject to all sorts of harassments from the oppressive regime, for expressing their views openly?

Ravi: We in the past and present always are supportive and accommodative to the objectives and projects of many diaspora initiatives of various organisations as long as they help to advance the struggle. We will always be honest and accountable to the people waging the struggle. We as BTF cannot comment on this as we are not included in this process.

Oru Paper: In the aftermath of Mullivaikal catastrophe, every Tamil group has beeni talking about democracy? As one of the grassroots organisations in the diaspora, does the BTF practice democratic principles? We are asking this because we see only a few leaders are taking serious decisions on behalf of the entire diaspora.

Ravi: I think I’ve explained how BTF operates and where it derives its mandate in one of your previous question.
It is on record that BTF is the very first organisation since May 2009, made a bold decision to restructure its decision making process by seeking democratic representations from local forums. We believe in the novel concept of “Participatory Democracy” which encourages our people not just to elect their representatives but to get involve in decision making process as well. It is a well structured democratic process. Decision making starts from the local forum representatives to National assembly members. Because this model impressed the European Tamil activists, they adopted a similar model and evolved their own constitutions to elect their representatives. Being the pioneers of institutionalising Democracy in Diaspora organisations we will work hard to impress GTF Board to move on this direction. We believe in democracy and collective decision making process. This will ensure to avoid any single point of failure.

Oru Paper: Although GTF is not implicitly spelling out the idea of a regime change; it appears that it is leaning towards forging alliances with pro west parties, such as TNA and UNP. Do you subscribe to the view that a regime change in the Island of Sri Lanka will be beneficial to the Tamils in meeting their political aspirations?

Ravi: We firmly believe that there is genocide going on in the Island of Srilanka against Tamil nation regardless of any regime. We’ve seen the history repeated since 1948. Beyond that the state and non-state institutions have become the vehicles of state genocide. When there is a need for a complete restructuring of the state and its institutions to bring real peace, true democracy and stability, we always have the question of how a regime change alone will help to bring peace and prosperity in the Island.

Our oppressed nation has always been cheated and humiliated by all the past and present regimes. We have the firm believe that we need to work with all people revolting against this tyrannical regime. Realising the importance of the civil society in the island of Sri Lanka, we advocated the dialogue with various civil society organisations to make them to understand our long standing grievances. Whoever competes to overthrow theRajapaksa regime and replace themselves have to convince our oppressed nation what is their solution to the burning ethnic question and we expect them to have the courage to articulate now to their constituents before they approach us to form a grand coalition.

Factories closing after GSP loss SATURDAY, 26 JANUARY 2013 Sri Lanka has begun to feel the effects of the loss of the GSP plus facility, after the closure of number of factories and reduction of export orders, Daily Mirror learns. The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP+) Plus is a mechanism that gives preferential access to the markets in the European Union for exports from number of countries. However, the European Union excluded Sri Lanka from the list of beneficiary countries on February 16, 2010 due to the non-implementations of certain good governance regulations.  According to the European Union, the GSP Plus was introduced as a mechanism to encourage good governance and strengthen democracy in the world. After three years, several factories have been closed down due to the inability to maintain their export markets in the European Union. Organizing Secretary of Inter Company Employees Union B.I. Abdeen told Daily Mirror that 2000 jobs of direct employment had been lost due to the closure of two factories on January 2, 2013 alone. “Crystal Sweater Lanka Pvt. Ltd is one such company that ceased its operations on January 2,  after a public announcement in newspapers. “The company has cited the inability to compete with countries such as Bangladesh that enjoy the GSP Plus benefit to access markets in Europe. “This is a company with 1100 employees. They put up a newspaper advertisement on December 22.  They cannot compete with countries such as Vietnam and Bangladesh enjoying preferential duty free access to Europe,” he said. Besides, Firefox Private Ltd, a Chinese company, also shut down its operations in Wattala area. In total 400 persons lost employment at this firm. The issue was raised in Parliament this week by JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara. In response to a question by MP Jayasekara, Deputy Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama said the government had given financial assistance of Rs.2000 million to revamp operations of four apparel companies.  However, he said that three of these companies had ceased operation now. Raising a supplementary question, Mr. Jayasekara said that the government did not listen to European Union to   ensure good governance in the country, and it was an adamant approach. “In a pompous approach, the government disregarded recommendations by European Union.  Now, factories have been closed leaving their employees in the lurch,” he said. He said that he was aware of a company that ended operation of its factories, resulting in the loss of 2000 employees. Dr. Amunugama replied, “The market opportunities in the United States and European Union have shrunk today due to economic recession. Despite that, properly managed companies have succeeded. There are companies doing well,” he said.(Kelum Bandara)

Away With All Deadly Illusions And Vile Deceptions

By Surendra Ajit Rupasinghe -January 25, 2013

Ajit Rupasinghe

Away with all Deadly Illusions and Vile Deceptions: Unite to Fight for a New World of Freedom

We were taught in school that Democracy refers to a “Government of the People; By the People and; For the People” , based on the “Rule of Law”. We were taught that in a Democracy, the people are ‘Sovereign’ and that this sovereignty is exercised by political representatives elected by the people through regular, free and fair elections. We were taught that Democracy requires a “Separation of Powers” between the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary to ensure that no one party, individual or family would usurp and monopolize State power. Finally, we were taught that Democracy has to be institutionally girded in a system of transparent accountability and respect for human and democratic rights. This is the political doctrine ( and ideology) that was injected into our veins through our mother’s milk and drummed into our minds by our political, educational, social and cultural institutions. Let us examine this political doctrine in the light of experience.

In the United States of Amerika, for example, former President, George Bush claimed that he had clear and irrefutable evidence that Saddam Hussein was in possession of weapons of mass destruction that threatened the very existence of the “Free World”, and that he had to be eliminated at all costs. The US Executive, Legislature and Judiciary gave sanction for a war against Iraq aimed at eliminating Saddam Hussein. The UN also rubber-stamped this policy. Now, it is proven beyond any shadow of doubt that this policy- and this war- was based on a barefaced lie. Saddam Hussein was finally executed by an international War Crimes Tribunal, and a puppet regime was put in place. It was reported that US sanctions contributed to the death of close upon half a million people, mostly children. The US war of aggression deliberately targeted social and economic infrastructure in a bombing spree of genocidal proportions, accounting for the killing, incineration and mutilation of millions of people. It continues its global war of aggression in Afghanistan and threatens to extend it to Iran and No. Korea. The US and its allies continue to support and legitimize the brutal, genocidal occupation of Palestine by the Zionist Sate of Israel. Let us not forget that it was the US that first used atomic bombs of mass destruction in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, even after Japan was ready to surrender, causing the killing, incineration and mutilation of hundreds of thousand innocent civilians. The current President Barrack Obama is spicing up this very same policy of imperialist genocidal aggression on a global scale in order to protect and expand the US empire, and preserve its global hegemony. Furthermore, Barrack Obama bailed out the parasitic financiers and racketeers of Wall St who had together swindled and ruined millions of homeowners in the US to the tune of trillions of dollars of the tax payers money, to keep the system of ‘democracy’ (read empire) afloat. He has followed George Bush, and all those before him, in faithfully enacting the most draconian-fascist legislature internally to legally suppress and violently repress the exploited workers and oppressed nations and masses of Amerika. All in the name of “democracy”, “patriotism”, “defending the Fatherland”, and “defending the “Free World”.

Here, in the Land of Lanka, the Miracle of Asia, the Mahinda Rajapakse Junta Regime (MRJR) remains accountable for war crimes and for gross, systematic and intensifying violations of human and democratic rights, including horrifying and abominable atrocities. It is reputed for astronomical crimes of corruption, abuse of power and aggrandizement. This process of erecting a pathological, megalomaniacal, dynastic dictatorship has now reached a crescendo in the act of impeaching and sacking the Chief Justice through a process of kangaroo justice, backed by the unleashing of state terrorist repression against any and all forms of opposition and resistance. This is while introducing even more draconian-fascist legislation to empower the Police- recognized as the most corrupt and murderous state institution- to torture and hound victims and instill state terror on the masses. This is while intensifying the military occupation and political subjugation of the Tamil Nation and subjecting all other nationalities to the absolute hegemony and domain of a Sinhala-Buddhistunitary State commanded by a crony-mafia, narco-Capitalist Comprador dynastic Regime. This is all in the service of greasing the neo-liberal imperialist agenda. And, as in the US, this drive towards entrenching a neo-fascist-terrorist dictatorship is justified in the name of Democracy, Patriotism and Defending the Motherland! The imperialist and reactionary regional powers are all partners in the game of perpetuating this vile deception aimed at preserving the system of world imperialism, while jockeying for strategic advantage against rival imperialist powers and blocs. So, don’t place your faith in the UNHRC to deliver justice.

As Lenin so powerfully analysed, whatever its outward form, bourgeois democracy is but an illusory veil that covers up the naked-terrorist dictatorship of the Bourgeoisie. Given all this living experience, the effort by some people (progressive and reactionary) to somehow defend the system with the hope of reforming it, participates in giving life to this vile deception, leading the masses astray, and derailing the revolution. All those who would dismiss my argument as “Marxist drivel” would have to check their own conscience. They would only display their own pathetic and self-serving intellectual bankruptcy and moral degeneracy. What is the historical anti-thesis, the dialectical necessity to all this unending horror and madness except to dream and fight for a whole new world order, free of all social relations of domination, exploitation and oppression and WAR? That is the path of the future, the path of universal freedom, towards the emancipation of humankind from the chains of ignorance and slavery, based on private property .

This gives expression to the dawning of Communism as illuminated by the immortal teachings and principles embodied in the science of revolution as developed by Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin and Mao. The international proletariat, in unity with all oppressed people of the world shall continue to mount and claim the stage of history through all the mortal dangers confronting humankind, building upon the historic achievements of the Paris Commune, the Great October Revolution and the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution- and going beyond, to seize all historic opportunities opening up by the all-embracing, spiraling crisis of the system of world imperialism, to initiate a new wave and a new stage of Communist Revolution.

*Surendra Ajit Rupasinghe, Secretary, Ceylon Communist Party (Maoist)