Govt. withdraws funds from TNA councils

By Chris Kamalendran-Sunday, January 27, 2013

The Government has withdrawn more than Rs 560 million allocated for development work to Northern Province local councils controlled by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).�The move comes in a year during which Northern Provincial Council elections will be held as pledged by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The funds were meant for rural roads, construction of new buildings for local councils, building new markets and other structures in 2013, Jaffna’s Local Government Assistant Commissioner S. Jeyaharan told the Sunday Times yesterday. The directive for the withdrawal, he said, had come from the Ministry of Local Government.

Other sources said that the funds in question would be placed in the hands of the Governor of the Northern Province for utilisation in projects he identified.�A local councillor alleged that the withdrawal of funds from only the TNA-controlled councils was politically motivated.

“They do not want us to spend these funds for development work because they fear we will win votes at the Provincial Council elections. Whatever happens, the people know we represent them,” Velvettithurai Urban Council member M. K. Sivajilingam said.�

He charged that in councils where the pro-government Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) was in control, there had been no withdrawal of funds. “They are allowed to spend freely on projects,” Mr. Sivajilingam complained. The EPDP is led by Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Minister Douglas Devananda.

Of the 17 local councils in the North, 13 are controlled by the TNA.

Law student loses hand due to doctor’s negligence

[ Sunday, 27 January 2013, 02:02.50 PM GMT +05:30 ]

Initial inquiries have found that the amputation of a law student’s hand, after suffering fracture injuries in a fall, was caused due to negligence on the part of the doctor who treated her and the medical staff at the Matara Hospital.

The Law Faculty student Achala Priyadarshinie was admitted to the Matara Hospital on January 17 with fracture injuries in her left hand, after falling down a flight of stairs at her home. There her hand was bandaged and when she informed hospital staff of continues pain they had injected her with the pain killer ‘Pethidine’. However, as her condition worsened she was transferred to the Karapitiya Hospital and again to the Colombo National Hospital for further treatment. Upon being admitted to the Colombo National Hospital, doctors had diagnosed that the only way to treat her at the current condition was to amputate the hand and they had proceeded to do so. The university student is left-handed and therefore even writes using her left hand. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena had visited the Colombo national Hospital this morning to look into her condition. She had then related the entire incident to the Minister. The minister had assured that immediate action would be taken to punish those found responsible.

Probe launched into amputation of student’s arm

SUNDAY, 27 JANUARY 2013

A special committee has been appointed by the Health Ministryg to probe into the incident of a below- elbow amputation of a female law student from Matara.

Health Ministry Spokesman W. M. D. Wanninayake speaking to the Daily Mirror said the patient who suffered a fall and fractured her left arm had been admitted to the Matara hospital a few days ago. Due to her complaining of an extreme pain in the fractured arm even following medications, measures had been taken to transfer her to the Colombo National Hospital where a below-elbow amputation had been carried out on the fractured arm on Thursday (24).

Mr. Wanninayake said the committee appointed by Health Ministry Secretary, Dr. Nihal Jayathilake under the instructions of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, consists of Deputy Director - General Medical Service, Dr. Ananda Gunasekara and several other medical specialists.

“The committee has been instructed to launch immediate investigations into the incident and they are to probe into the reasons led to the amputation of the arm,” Mr. Wanninayake said adding, if the committee findings determine the amputation was an avoidable measure, strict action will be taken against the medical officials who prescribed the amputation. (LP)

Silva Desecrates Sacred Kelaniya »

By Nirmala Kannangara- Pictures by Lalith Perera

Dr Mervyn Silva, Prasanna Ranaweera, Brothel houses in the guise of restaurants and Owned by Singappuru Sarath any illegal meat is avaiable here and liquor is sold even on poya days with the blessings of the Kelaniya Police

Sunday, January 27, 2013

The sacred city of Kelaniya has become a haven for drug peddlers, extortionists, prostitution, intimidators and murderers, says Prasanna Ranaweera, Chairman, Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha.

According to Ranaweera, the main causes for the desecration in the electorates is the notorious Silva.
“This infamous Silva has not spared even school boys and have destroyed families with the introduction of drugs, gun culture and prostitution,” alleged the Chairman.
Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva is accused of drug dealing, prostitution, extortion, intimidation and murders in Kelaniya electorate and the Kelaniya police station has come under severe criticism for their failure to take any action against those who were involved in these illegal activities.
“With Mervyn Silva’s appointment as the Kelaniya Organizer from nowhere, this sacred city where Gautama Buddha once placed His holy feet became the worst places to live in. Silva’s motto is to make money even from a dead body. Although there is a pirith noola to his (Silva’s) wrist, he is not only a murderer but also a kingpin in drug business who gives his fullest support for prostitutions and extort billions of rupees from the people. Although he tries to show that he is a practicing Buddhist, he is a shame to Buddhism,” said Ranaweera.
After Mervyn Silva’s removal from the Kelaniya Organizer’s post following Pradeshiya Sabha member Hasitha Madawala’s murder, religious leaders and government officers in the Kelaniya electorate have sent letters to President Mahinda Rajapaksa requesting that Economic Development Minister and Gampaha District Chief Organizer Basil Rajapaksa be appointed as the Kelaniya Organizer as well.
“This request from religious leaders and government officials came without any political pressure. People here suffered immensely at the hands of Mervyn Silva, his son Malaka and their goons. There was no room for any person who wanted to thrive in any legal way but instead injustice, thuggery and intimidation reigned in Kelaniya. Although Mervyn Silva is not the Kelaniya organizer now, still the police do not take any action against Silva’s men who are engaged in illegal activities presuming Mervyn Silva would be appointed as the organizer once again. This is the state of the Kelaniya police. Any request made by us to the police in order to maintain law and order is not heeded as we are against Mervyn Silva. However they take note of any request made by drug peddlers, prostitutes, extortionists or intimidators as they are Silva loyalists,” said Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Member Chatura Dhanushka.
Dhanushka further queried as to why the Police have failed to obtain a statement from Mervyn Silva for the murder of Hasitha Madawala as Sarath Edirisuriya alias Singapore Sarath and the killer Saman Nishaman alias Star Grip Saman were with him on the day this killing took place.
“It was Minister Silva who appointed Singapore Sarath as his Parliamentary Affairs Secretary through the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry. This shows how close these two are. From the time 15 of us started opposing Silva for his illegal activities; Madawala came out openly and said that his life is in danger as there are threats from Minister Silva. On that backdrop it is surprising as to why the police are dragging their feet without questioning Silva over Madawala’s death. In addition we want to know as to who has given the T81 firearm to Saman Nishaman to kill us? Are the police trying to cover this up? When there is so much evidence that Silva was engaged in murders, extortions, drug peddling, prostitutions and intimidation, why is the law so silent? Are they trying to tell us that Silva was not involved in any illegal activities but people have used his name to engage in such businesses without his knowledge – the way the Samurdhi Officer tied himself to a tree for failing to discharge his duties? This is ridiculous,” said Dhanushka.
Meanwhile, Chairman Ranaweera raised concern as both Bribery Commission and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had failed to hold inquiries as to how Mervyn Silva got money to purchase properties worth of several billions of rupees when he has no other business ventures to earn money.
“He started as a driver at the CWE, then worked for the Bandaranayake’s at the Horagolla Walawwa as one of their domestics and entered into politics. He is now a minister in the present cabinet. But how did he earn billions of rupees to purchase properties and vehicles. He bought an apartment in Kollupitiya, a palatial house at Piththala Handiya in Colombo 3, another property at Nawala-Narahenpita road, a house at Park Road and a 150 acre coconut estate in the North Western Province. The vehicles that are parked at his residence are worth over Rs.200 million. Why don’t they investigate? It is over one year that we have furnished these details to the Bribery Commission and CID. Either they are in deep slumber or not competent enough to hold investigations or may be that they are scared because Silva has political clout,” said Ranaweera.
Describing the recently appointed learned committee by Silva as the best joke of the year, Ranaweera said that the honesty of the Chairman of this committee is questionable.
“The Chairman of this so-called learned committee is the Head of the Department of Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka Ven. Dr Uthurawala Dhammarathana Thero. The three other members are Senior Lecturer Colombo University Nihal Hewage, Dr Ajith Dissanayake of the Kelaniya University and Ven. Ambogama Wimalagnana Thero of the Kelaniya University . The honesty of the Chairman of this learned committee is questionable. He has encroached three and a half acres of government land in Kelaniya and does not allow the provincial land Commissioner’s Department to enter the premises to survey the land. When these officers came recently they were chased out. Although we do not know about the three other committee members, from the Chairman’s past records and his behaviour we know as to how they are going to ‘advise’ Mervyn Silva how to discharge his duties ‘honourably’ in future,” said Ranaweera.
According to Ranaweera, Mervyn’s previous advisors are now in Welikada remand prison.
“Madawala murder suspects who are now in Welikada were Silva’s former advisors. In addition Buddhi Ranasinghe who was arrested while trying to extort money from a businessman in Grandpass; Singapore Sarath, Chandimal, Namal Ratnayake, Thilakasiri alias Booru Thilak, Kudu Chamara, Haal Suda too were former advisors. Namal Ratnayake was a fellow prisoner with Malaka Silva during the time Malaka was put behind bars for assaulting UNP MP Sujeewa Serasinghe’s brother. Since Malaka found out that Namal Ratnayake, who was accused of stealing Mawilaru money would be a good person for their illegal activities, he was introduced to Mervyn Silva and appointed as yet another coordinating secretary who is now engaged in money extortion,” claimed Ranaweera.
Meanwhile, a leading businessman in Kiribathgoda on conditions of anonymity told The Sunday Leader how he was penalized by Mervyn Silva for failing to pay ‘a monthly rental’ towards the Pibidena Kelaniya Development Fund.
“Although several written messages were sent to me I ignored them knowing as to what would happen to the money. Then on a few occasions his goons came and threatened me and asked whether I would want to do business in Kiribathgoda or would like to close down all my businesses. When I told them clearly that I will not give a single cent from my hard earned money they threatened to kill me. I had to keep all these threats to my self as I knew that the police would not take any action against them instead would harass me. It was after that Mervyn himself made a big loss to my business which I do not want to highlight since the perpetrators would know my identity,” said the businessman.
Ranaweera further alleged that most of the liquor shops in Kelaniya do not have licences but a large cutout of Silva in the shop is the valid license to
carry out any illegal business.  “If a large cutout of Silva is adorned in any business place, there is no necessity to obtain licenses. These cutouts keep the police out of bounds from these places. Liquor shops, brothel houses in the guise of restaurants can operate if the cutout is displayed. The Samanala Restaurant in Kiribathgoda is one such place where wild boar, venison and any other illegal meat is available. Had this been done by any other party not connected to Silva, police would have sealed the place and taken the owner into custody. Since the Kelaniya police officers received encroached lands in the area and are rewarded handsomely they do what Silva has asked them to do,” said Ranaweera.
He also described how Mervyn collected millions of money from the people in the area to release cows who were to be killed.
“Mervyn boasted that he was going to buy 67 cows from the butcher in order to release them on President’s birthday last year. Hence he ordered all the businessmen in the area to contribute money to release these cows and it was Singappuru Sarath that collected the money to the amount of Rs.1.25 million. Instead of buying the animals from the butcher he sent Booru Thilak to Ampara and Vavuniya areas to transport cows from there. Since Booru Thilak had the letter from Mervyn Silva, the police allowed him to bring more than 67 cows to Kelaniya. Then he invited the President and asked him to release 67 cows and the rest were sent to the butcher. Instead of releasing the cows from the butcher, the extra cows that were brought from North and East were sold to the butcher. This is the typical Mervyn – not the man that talks against the animal sacrifice in Munneswaran,” alleged Ranaweera.

The Muslims Are The New Tamils

By Tisaranee Gunasekara -

“This frenzy of stupidity….” Ernst Toller (Wotan Unchained)

Are we, the Sinhala people, so addicted to war, that we cannot do without one? Or are the Rajapaksas trying to manufacture a new threat and a new conflict as camouflage for their dynastic project?

A well organised and financed anti-Muslim campaign has burst into destructive life over the last several months. Organisations, manifestly conceived in the same pathological-womb, are trying to outdo each other in spreading anti-Muslim vitriol. In the name of Buddhism – the most non-violent and tolerant of all religions (in its original pre-Sinhala form) – these organisations break the law at will and sow seeds of a new ethno-religious conflict. Their members picket Muslim-owned shops, organise anti-Muslim demonstrations and attack mosques; they even invaded the Law College and the day’s TV news carried shocking footage of a monk-demonstrator attacking a layman (possibly an official) with his umbrella.

Who created these organisations? Who finances them? Who are the organ grinders of these destructively dysfunctional monkeys?

Organisations such as the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) seem to be above the law. They run around protesting and demonstrating, arresting people illegally and disrupting perfectly legal activities ordinary Lankans, while the police remain passive and mute. For instance, on June 26^th 2012, a BBS mob surrounded the Ministry of Buddha Sasana demanding that the Minister cracks down on a rival Buddhist who ‘insulted Buddhism’ within two weeks. On January 21^st, 2013, another BBS mob stormed a tourist hotel in Beruwala, where a private party was in progress, alleging that the hotel possessed a ‘Buddha Bar’.

The latitude permitted to these fanatics to sow hatred, the impunity enjoyed by them indicates connections – if not patrons – in very high places. According to DBS Jeyaraj, when an organisation calling itself Hela Sihala Hiru unleashed a rabidly anti-Muslim demonstration in Kuliyapitiya, several Muslim community leaders tried to lodge a complaint in police, in vain; the police claimed that “nothing could be done as orders had come from the top to let the demonstration happen. Some policemen said their duty was to afford protection to the demonstrators and not to take action against it”.

If accurate, this story points to a definite nexus between the orchestrated anti-Muslim hysteria and the Rajapaksas.

Seeds of Another War  

A majority of the Sinhalese are not affected by the anti-Muslim germ – yet. Most Sinhalese and most Muslims have lived in perfect amity all their lives. The official history taught in schools is suffused with tales of ‘Sinhala-Tamil conflicts’ and of ‘evil Tamil kings’ (of the long centuries of peaceful Sinhala-Tamil cohabitation, including intermarriages and the cultural, religious and linguistic cross-fertilisation, history books are largely silent). But there are no comparable stories about Sinhala-Muslim conflicts or Muslim conspiracies. Therefore there are no anti-Muslim ‘historical memories’ in the collective Sinhala-psyche which can be tapped into and exploited.

Nor are the Muslims requesting any political reforms, as the Tamils did.

Therefore Muslim-phobia must be manufactured through gross lies, absurd exaggerations and malicious misrepresentation. The Muslims are portrayed as the ‘Cultural Other’, a task made easy by the fact that liberal Muslims (like liberal Buddhists/Hindus/Christians) are in decline and the more extremist currents of Islam are on the rise. (InSri Lanka, public manifestations of every religion are sky-rocketing, even as morality declines and crime flourishes; every religion has become an excuse for bigotry and violence). Everything is the grist to the mill of the Sinhala fanatics in their effort to create the ‘Muslim enemy’, from Halal meat and the Sharia Law to the noxious fabrication of a conspiracy to turnSri Lankainto a Muslim country in 2020.

The project of these fanatics is not just anti-Muslim/anti-minority. It is also anti-democratic and socio-culturally retrogressive. Like fanatics of every religion, their dream is a society shackled in reactionary ideas and ultra-conservative mores. Like their Muslim/Hindu/Christian counterparts, the BBS is viscerally opposed to Enlightenment ideas and liberal values. At its first National Convention held last year, the BBS demanded that the government stop family planning, amend existing laws to protect Buddhist rights and “appoint a regulatory body to supervise the content of books and other materials on Buddhism and to do away with those that had distorted the doctrine” (The Island – 12.7.2012). The BBS has attacked Christian services and disrupted family planning clinics; Dharisha Bastians reported that a BBS leader wants a law which permits a Sinhala man to marry five (presumably Sinhala) women (otherwise how can they produce pure Sinhala children?).

A Sinhala-Buddhist Saudi Arabia would be their dream.

Currently organisations such as the BBS amount to a law-and-order problem rather than a political one. If the regime so wants, it can nip this anti-Muslim hysteria in the bud by treating law-breaking BBS activists the same way any normal law-breaking citizen is dealt with. The argument that the regime fears to move against these saffron-robed hooligans because it does not want to antagonise Buddhist clergy is ludicrous. The Rajapaksas snubbed the four Mahanayakes over the impeachment issue and used threats to prevent the holding of a Sangha Council to oppose the arrest of Gen. Sarath Fonseka. According to a Wikileaks cable (26.2.2010), “Two days before the Sanga Sabha was to open….temples had been told that bombs would be hurled at buses transporting monks to the council. On February 16^th the Mahanayake of Malwatte announced the assembly had been indefinitely postponed due to security reasons” (Colombo Telegraph – 29.11.2011)

President Rajapaksa has reportedly promised tough action against those creating communal disharmony. According to the same President Rajapaksa “The Maha Sanga and all Buddhists are free of no racialism and regionalism” (Daily Mirror – 21.1.2013). Who does he think is responsible for causing communal disharmony? The Muslims? The West?  The President has also promised to “call the Buddhist clergy for discussions to resolve the issue” (Ceylon Today – 26.1.2013). What issue? There is no Sinhala-Muslim issue. The ‘issue’ is being artificially created by criminal elements. The ‘solution’ is not to dignify the mob by holding conferences but to apply the law, without fear or favour.

But will the Rajapaksas do it?

The Rajapaksas need justifications for their serial murder of democratic institutions and freedoms. The undead-Tiger does not suffice; other issues/enemies are needed, to addle minds with fear, to muddy the political-waters, to befuddle and bamboozle.

The Rajapaksas want a new over determination, so that the Sinhalese will be too busy chasing spectral-foes to confront the real enemy: the Rajapaksas.

A new war will fragment anti-Rajapaksa forces and enable the Siblings to justify the militarization of society, the exacerbation of economic burdens and the erosion of rights and freedoms.

A stage-managed war against ‘Islamic terrorism’ would reopen Western/Indian doors for the Rajapaksas.

A Sinhala-Muslim conflict can be in Rajapaksa-interests; but it will not benefit Sinhalese, Muslims or Tamils. The article by Hiran Gunaratne provides an excellent analysis of the politico-economic damage such a conflict will do toSri Lanka. We lost 30 years thanks to one ethnic war. A Sinhala-Muslim conflict will last longer, reach further (Sinhalese in the West/Middle East will become unsafe), cause more destruction and drag Sri Lanka down to the very depths of living-hell, below even Sudanor Somalia.

International battle ahead; possible questions from Commonwealth

Sunday, January 27, 2013

= Independent media barred from ceremonial sitting to welcome CJ 44, witch-hunt of CJ 43 continues
= Cabinet reshuffle likely tomorrow, PM to continue, President furious over senior minister’s remarks on PM successor
= Army Board issues report, contradicting LLRC recommendations; new National Oil Company to handle exploration and production

By Our Political Editor

Armed troops and police surrounded the superior courts complex, the citadel of the country’s judicial system in Hulftsdorp last Wednesday, for the second time in two weeks. Last week they kept protesting lawyers at bay as the newly appointed Chief Justice Peter Mohan Maithree Peiris drove in through the back entrance to the premises to assume office. Their only task this time was to keep the private media away from covering Peiris formally assuming duties as Sri Lanka’s 44th Chief Justice.

There were neither protests nor demonstrations outside the complex this time; just a formal boycott by the Bar Association. Journalists from the private media, photographers, video cameramen, reporters and foreign correspondents were stopped at the gates. Whilst they waited, a court security official walked up to the entrance of the Supreme Court and shouted “who is the cameraman from ITN?” He was identified. He waved him to come forward and the gates opened. He was asked why the others were being debarred. The reply came in double quick time. The Marshal of the Courts had given instructions. Moments later, a camera unit of the state television broadcaster Rupavahini drove in one of their vehicles after the gates were opened wide for them.�

A lawyer appeals to enter Court Premises and debarred, Private Media look on. A police bus is on stand-by. Pic by M.A. Pushpakumara

For the first time in the country’s legal history, there was censorship on a ceremonial event held to make a nation learn that a new Chief Justice was being ceremonially welcomed. A photographer from the Government Department of Information was taken in and the office later distributed one photograph of a select group of judges from both, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal seemingly enjoying a chat with Chief Justice 44 Mohan Peiris. They included Justice Shirani Thilakawardene, Satya Hettige Eva Wanasundera and Rohini Marasinghe. Significantly, there was no group photograph of Peiris with the rest of the Justices of the Supreme Court as is customary.

This is whilst Shirani Bandaranayake, who maintains she is still the Chief Justice, was busy trying to meet another challenge, this time from a fresh front. The Department of Inland Revenue has gone into top gear this week to raise a number of queries from her on monetary transactions mentioned during the impeachment resolution passed by Parliament. This is on the basis that she had not disclosed large amounts of money from certain transactions. She is to tell them that no millions of rupees were received. “The witch hunt continues,” remarked a legal counsel representing her. “The lightning speed at which tax people have reacted shows there is more to come,” he warned speaking on grounds of anonymity.

At the weekly cabinet meeting on Thursday, Rajapaksa cautioned his ministers to be careful when they visit other countries and hold talks with dignitaries or officials. Some polite denials have been construed by the host countries as having agreed to their requests, he pointed out. He revealed that External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunatilleke Amunugama has brought this to his attention on Thursday morning, just ahead of the cabinet meeting. However, Rajapaksa did not reveal which Minister or the name of the country where the incident reportedly occurred. Some Ministers wondered whether this in any way related to the visit to India by External Affairs Minister, G.L. Peiris.�

At the same cabinet meeting, Rajapaksa won approval for a major change in the laws governing petroleum exploration. The Government Information Department said this was “with the view to meeting the required legal standards of global expectations of the petroleum industry as well as to introduce the principles of good governance into Sri Lanka’s Oil and Gas Industry.” However, there was more. The task of exploring oil deposits is to be vested in the hands of a National Oil Company, the Sri Lankan partner in all future foreign deals. This will mean the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) will have no role once the new laws are enacted. Read More

Big Brother Cannot Fool All Of The People All Of The time!

By Elmore Perera -January 27, 2013

Elmore Perera

With remarkable–though regrettable – success, the Government has covered up “its commissions and omissions (which are legion) by manipulating or harassing the Media. A rare, but welcome indication that Media freedom in Sri Lanka is not altogether “dead and buried” as yet, is that the above captioned comment in the editorial of the Island Newspaper of 25^th January, 2013 was accompanied by sorely needed and appropriate publicity given to the fact that in a neighbouring country a prominent Editor was sentenced to a decade in prison for allegedly violating much debated laws designed to protect “the royal family”. Bravo Editor! More strength to your elbow! You have, perhaps unwittingly, alerted the unsuspecting and complacent Sri Lankan Public of imminent similar laws in Sri Lanka (without any debate, of course) rendering a veneer of legality to the “de facto status quo.”

I am one of many Sri Lankans who certainly have a “vested interest” in striving for the realisation of a Paradise in which all Sri Lankans, irrespective of race, religion, caste, culture sex, social standing or any other differences, will be considered truly equal. I believe that all truly patriotic Sri Lankans undoubtedly share that “vested interest”, even though far too few dare to even talk about it for fear of displeasing those who wield power as they please.

A glorious opportunity for realisation of that “dream” presented itself with the remarkable defeat of LTTEterrorism in May 2009 as a result of what has been, and still is described as “a humanitarian military operation with zero civilian casualties”.  All Sri Lankans, except for a few die-hard LTTE terrorists, heaved a huge sigh of relief in May 2009 and eagerly looked forward to a peace that would enable them to resume their simple but contented life styles, reaching out to one another with the warm hospitality and cordiality that was part and parcel of Sri Lankan life. Very few cared to look beyond that to an affluent, but counterproductive and even destructive, life style. However this simple “peace” continued to elude them. They found themselves in an unending rat race with all rewards reserved for a few select “fat and prosperous rats”.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing, the omniscient Media Minister asserted that there was an organised group creating ethnic disharmony. He stated that, informed  of this disturbing trend of events, the Rajapaksa Government was watching the situation carefully and action will be taken against those responsible. He further stated that “the President proposes Parliamentary Committee to discuss crisis”.

Without any notable exceptions, the most influential leaders of all the Religions in this country which boasts of being blessed with all major religions of the world, appealed to President Rajapaksa to refrain from impeaching a Chief Justice who fearlessly acted according to the oath taken by her to uphold and defend the Constitution. Undeterred and unabashed, with an unprecedented display of violence, thuggery and state power, by recourse to a wholly unlawful exercise of power by a Parliamentary Select Committee, the vile deed was done. We ceased to be a nation governed by a system of laws to which lawmakers themselves are subject. Both the Executive and the Legislature blatantly disregarded the provisions of the very Constitution which they had sworn to uphold and defend. This, was a clear indication that in Sri Lanka now, “Might is Right”.

On 18^th January 2013, in his pastoral letter, the Bishop of Colombo stated that this is a time for us to take an honest look at ourselves. He stated further that we have shamelessly compromised our loyalty to our God and need to repent of ways in which we, as individuals as well as collectively, have

(i)       been silent when we should have spoken,

(ii)     allowed ourselves (thoughtlessly or out of fear) to be used by those in authority to speak lies or commit wrong or unjust acts,  and

(iii)   consciously received benefits for ourselves through acts of injustice committed against others.

“When others may be controlled by fear and helplessness, we must remember that our Lord who was crucified and suffered death was raised to new life, offering hope to all.”

The Bishop concluded by reiterating the words of St. Paul, “Therefore my brethren, stand firm and immovable, and work for the Lord always; work without limit since you know that in the Lord, your labour cannot be in vain”.

Notwithstanding brutally suppressed protests, a Parliamentary Select Committee has come
to be foisted on the Sovereign people as the “de facto” apex judicial authority in this “Wonder of Asia”. Welcoming the ‘de facto Chief Justice’ to the “de jure apex judicial authority” still called the Supreme Court, the Attorney General aptly drew attention to the following statement of President Abdul Kalaam, former President of India.  “If you salute your duty you need not salute anyone. If however you pollute your duty you will have to salute everyone”. In the wake of numerous allegations of abuse of the powers of the post of Attorney General, (some of which are even now before the Supreme Court of which he has been appointed the head) and as legal advisor to the Cabinet of Ministers, it is unlikely that this “de facto Chief Justice” will have much time for anything other than “saluting” everyone who matters.

Leader of the House, eminent lawyer Nimal Siripala de Silva had, at about the same time that the aforementioned editor was sentenced to a decade in prison, told Parliament on 24^th January 2013 that a Special PSC would be set up “to address growing concerns on the rise  in racial intolerance and religious fundamentalism in the country”. Stating that these important issues cannot be addressed on party lines he said “we all have to get together to tackle problems that can arise and cost our country its hard won peace. It is only those with vested interests who will benefit from such situations”.

Rt. Rev. Dhiloraj Canagasabey, Bishop of Colombo aforereferred to, as the name clearly indicates, is a Tamil. His “racial tolerance” level is such that he has been happily married to a Sinhalese lady and has provided Sri Lanka with a model Sri Lankan family of four, for more than two decades now. The way things are being done in this “Wonder of Asia”, it will be no surprise if these facts are suppressed and the Bishop of Colombo  is hauled up before this proposed Special Select Committee on the basis of fabricated anonymous allegations  of “racial intolerance and religious fundamentalism” in this country.

If Sri Lanka is to survive as a civilised nation, sooner rather than later we need to make a concerted effort to make “Justice the measuring line, and Righteousness the Plumb Line”. We can no longer rest on the laurels of a “glorious victory” and permit anarchy to reign in this potential Paradise.

*Elmore Perera, Attorney-at-Law, Founder CIMOGG, Past President OPA  

Shirani invited from world bodies

SUNDAY, 27 JANUARY 2013

Former Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake is getting invitations by international organizations to join them say political sources. It is also reported that she has been invited to join the World Judicial Commission (WJC) which is the legal arm of the World Government of World Citizens (WGWC).

Meanwhile, a large number of international legal organizations have expressed their displeasure to the government regarding the impeachment process carried out to remove Dr. Bandaranayake from her position.

As she has been removed by an impeachment process she is not entitled for a pension. However, she could work as a university lecturer. As she is in the bad books of the government political analysts doubt whether she could work in this country.

She has not made any view to the media since she was removed and it is learnt that she refrains from making such statements as it would create repercussions.
Two more videos by Channel 4

International medias has published news items that the Channel 4 will telecast two videos containing new evidences stating   war crimes were executed  by Sri Lanka military against the Tamil people at the final phase of war  in Sri Lanka.

 

Channel 4 TV already telecasted the Sri Lanka war crime accusation videos and Sri Lanka faced massive setbacks international wide.

 

In this state, the TV channel has notified that they would telecast two more videos.

 

The new videos concerning the Sri Lanka war crimes are produced by the evidences catered by 8 former rebels escaped to foreign countries during war in Sri Lanka.

 

The United Nation Organization's human rights council's sessions will be held in the forthcoming month of March. Before the commencement of the sessions, the two videos will be telecast was said.

 

The two new video illustrates, information about Tamil Eelam Liberation tiger movement important leaders and Sri Lanka government will face more drawbacks by this telecast was pointed out by the said media.

Monday , 07 January 2013

Swearing In A President And Comedy Courtesy Of The Local Cops

By Emil van der Poorten -January 26, 2013 

Emil van der Poorten

Today’s column consists of two unconnected halves.

The Obama inauguration

Watching the huge crowds in Washington on the occasion of Barack Hussein Obama’s inauguration couldn’t but push one’s imagination towards a re-location of the event to Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan practices.

Given the Sri Lankan, officially-approved and  promoted reality, video-documented on at least a couple of occasions, where “ pro-government demonstrators” are seen releasing their hold on their weapons in order to accept a five hundred rupee note for “services rendered” (or being rendered) much of which is in the form of assault and battery visited upon those having the temerity to display a lack of support of their Lord and Master, I looked really hard at the milling crowds in the US federal capital at a once-in-four-year’s event for so much as a glimpse of a spindly stick, not even for a 2 X4 or a pole.  Alas, that expectation of excitement was not realized! There were not even sandwich boards in support of the US’s recently re-elected President, leave alone giant cutouts.

I then looked for masses of hamburger wrappers in lieu of the debris from kiribath or buth packets which one might have expected to be in evidence in the home of the hamburger.  Alas, I was, again, to be disappointed because the usually ubiquitous flotsam emanating from McDonalds outlets was nowhere to be seen.  That suggested that free hamburgers and coke had NOT been distributed in order to attract the very impressive crowds at Barack’s inauguration.

Going through news reports of the event however, I finally unearthed a sign of democracy in action a la Sri Lanka.  Some (rap?) musician whose lyrics were turning anti-Obama or anti Obama policy during the event, was swiftly removed from his performing stage.  Here, again though, the event proved most disappointing because the guy was not roughed up and not incarcerated for rehabilitation under the Prevention of Terrorism Act or its US equivalent.  If nothing else, this lack of drama, violence and bloodshed reflected very poorly on a country that is home to Hollywood, that source of so much blood and gore in the area of broadly-disseminated public entertainment.  Surely, the home turf of Spaghetti Westerns and Quentin Tarantino could have done better than cutting the sound from a rap musician’s performance and removing him from the gaze of the television cameras?  Oh well……….Hollywood ain’t what it used to be and one better learn to live with this deterioration of performance  standards, I suppose.

The relative bonhomie surrounding the celebration of the re-election of a “visible” and ethnically “different” person was in stark contrast to what would have happened if by some weird and wonderful confluence of the planets something similar had occurred in Sri Lanka.  Imagine, if you will, a descendant of Ponnambalam Ramanathan or Razik Fareed or (God forbid!) Pieter Keuneman elected, as Senior Organizer for the Mattakuliya area.  There would certainly be protests against this potential sullying of the national political gene pool.  Buses would be made available to bring large numbers of “patriots” to wherever any such inauguration was to take place.  Special provision would be made with roof-racks to carry poles appropriate to the assaults to be launched on those who might be foolish enough to enter public space to celebrate such an event.  If it was more convenient, contracts would be given to supporters of the “protest against inappropriate celebration” to provide poles of adequate strength and length at the sites where “dissuading action” was to be taken.  These contracts would be given to those with a proven record of unquestioning loyalty to those organizing the “anti-celebration” and would constitute significantly higher rates than for common-or-garden  “dissuading actions” of the past.  After all, payments to friends for such a worthy purpose should take into account the meteoric rise in the cost of (really) living.

However, the dearth of entertainment from the US Presidential Inauguration was somewhat compensated for by a local event that arrived on our doorstep recently.

The “ Great laptop theft mystery”

Some afternoons ago just after we’d sat down to lunch with visitors, our “domestics” burst in on us with the news that the police were here, together with a dog.  Now police calling on us, usually when they need a “donation” of some description, is not unusual but doing so with a trained canine in attendance was certainly out of the ordinary and merited immediate response.

At the front door was a burly policeman in “civvies” (I presume he belonged to our League of Protectors because he said so and one doesn’t question such introductions with a request for identification in this country and in this day and age unless seeking a thick ear or worse!)  He said he was here in connection with my reported theft of a laptop computer and seemed quite annoyed when I told him I had not experienced such an event.  It transpired that a part of the ill humour of our policeman was attributable to the fact that he (and the canine and its minder) had had to trek up our not inconsiderable hill after their police vehicle, riding on bald tires, had skidded off the road while conveying them to our abode!

A flurry of calls on his ubiquitous mobile phone ensued and it transpired that the directions given had been completely cockeyed.  The reported theft was in an area which was in the opposite direction to our home insofar as the location of the police station was concerned and there had been a mix-up because of the free use of racial references.   They had mistaken me, a “suddha” in their parlance, for an Englishman who lived in another area also within their jurisdiction.  A little lesson here in the matter of the free use of racial references leading to hugely unnecessary confusion.  Anyway, another police vehicle which had pulled its predecessor out of the ditch, appeared and everyone – policemen and K9 – departed for goodness knows where!

A footnote to the comedy

Incidentally, it seems like Sri Lanka must be one of the few, if not the only jurisdiction in the world, using Dalmatians as police dogs given the fact that these lovable canines have a reputation for being among the least intelligent of dogs!

We shall settle old scores duly and with dignity -Three years ago today Prageeth was abducted -By LeN Editor By Sandaruwan Senadheera –Chief Editor of LeN (Sinhala Original Translated to English By Jeff)

(Lanka-e-News-24.Jan.2013, 7.30PM) It was three years ago today , that is, on the 24th of January 2010 , at about 7.30 p.m. , Prageeth Ekneliyagoda my close trusted friend for over 25 long years bid goodbye to me promising to return the following day. On that 24th day morning , he woke me up by phoning me ; he said, there was a white Van without a registration number parked at the bend near his house at Homagama, and on it , ‘Victory for Mahinda’ sticker was pasted in the place where the registration number ought to be, he added. That was when the Presidential elections were around the corner. As Prageeth had already been a victim of the white Van abduction , and had been released subsequently, I warned him not to step out of his house and that I would do all the needful for him . Prageeth just laughed it off ,, ‘ are you mad , am I to stop my work because of this or that fellow?’, was his answer .After a few hours Prageeth visited our Rajagiriya office .Then he left to carry out some tasks and returned at about 1.00 p.m. Prageeth was waiting for somebody expected to arrive from Dambulla at 2.00 p.m. Prageeth waited for him until 7.30 p.m. Meanwhile, I can remember he was giving calls to this person every now and then and inquiring where he was? This visitor had told him , he had alighted at Belummahara , and he was coming to Rajagiriya by three wheeler. Though there was enough time for him from 2.00 p.m. to arrive at Rajagiriya , this visitor finally did not turn up. In the end , Prageeth told me , the visitor arrived at about 7.30 p.m. By that time we had arranged for a modest liquor party . I told Prageeth to call his guest to the office and ask him to take a small ‘shot’ before leaving. Prageeth said ‘no, no , we are going on an important discussion . We can’t go there drunk. The ‘man’ is near the Cargills. I am going there’ . When I asked Prageeth whether he would like me to join so that he will not be alone , he replied, ‘ it is close by , I will go’, and left while promising to come back the following morning. For our drinking company , I had only two others left with me. Since the two of them are popular artistes in Sri Lanka (SL), I do not wish to reveal their names . They are still in SL and alive. One of them inquired ‘machan, is Prageeth going alone okay?. The other stated ‘no , Cargills , is not that far away’. They spoke thus because the visitor was supposed to be Prageeth’s friend. The unwelcome incident had occurred within a visible distance between the office and Cargills which is not very far. Yet , by the time we became aware that the individual who came was an abductor in pursuance of the plot to abduct Prageeth, it was too late. It was only later that we realized that individual was one known to Prageeth only , and not to any of us. That was the last we saw of Prageeth . It was only on January 25th 2010 at about 10.00 a.m. that I came to know that Prageeth had gone missing . This information was passed to me by C. J. Amaratunge of Lankadeepa News Paper , a friend of both of us . Nobody from Prageeth’s household informed me in the previous night of his not returning home that night. The abductors trailing behind Prageeth was going on for a long time. That operated to their advantage. When Poddala Jayantha, Secretary of working journalist association was abducted , somebody informed me immediately by phone of the abduction . Since prompt action was taken by us ,we were able to save Poddala ‘s life even though his legs were broken. We believe this rescue was possible because of the receipt of immediate information following the abduction. Unfortunately , in Prageeth’s case , the abductors had planned it so cleverly and craftily that we were denied that opportunity to save him. On the 25th , that is the day following the Prageeth’s abduction , an abductor who came for Prageeth’s abduction had taken a call at about 1.00 p.m. on mobile phone No. 077 0375704. That had been recorded by the communication Tower at Alawwa . At about 2.00 p.m., I received this information. I passed all these data and information to the police. But to no avail. The infamous ASP ‘Deshabandu’ in charge of the Mirihana police region at that time suppressed everything. The Chief Inspector Janaka who recorded the statement of mine did not write down my statement regarding the Alawwa communication record. We staged a demonstration the following day demanding the restoration of Prageeth to us. The posters in that connection were produced by me. I have produced 15000 different kinds of publicity posters and artworks during the past 28 years . The last poster that I produced was ‘give back our Prageeth’. Thereafter I had not produced any posters for the last three years. But the famous photograph however of Prageeth that appear now and then are mine . The first photograph taken from the first digital camera purchased by Lanka e News was that of Prageeth. Simultaneously a video footage of Prageeth was also taken. Unfortunately it is now not in my possession. That must have got destroyed when our office was put to the torch . With the exit of Prageeth from my life , most of my life too had ebbed away. I feel if I had been abducted , and Prageeth had been saved , it would have been better. Had I not lost such a good friend , it will be he who would be facing the sufferings with me now. . He will be the one who will be spearheading the struggle with me . Indeed , I must confess he is a greater campaigner than I. In any case , three years after our campaign demanding to ‘give our Prageeth back ‘, Lanka e news team and me are now not taking the same stance. Our stance is different: we are demanding to give us those who abducted Prageeth that day , and who gave instructions for the abduction as they must be meted out the due punishment. One coolie who claims to be Left oriented of the murderous MaRa regime who barks for filthy lucre picked from the lavatories of the regime or when hired to do so for money had some time ago reported , Prageeth is not a media personnel , and he was abducted because he charmed Mahinda Rajapakse by sending ashes of dead bodies to him. This same filthy stinking coolie whose whole gaze is fixed on picking up filthy lucre from regime’s lavatories , and therefore unable to see anything else clearly also wrote , Lasantha Wickremetunge was murdered not because he was a journalist but because he was spying for India. We urge the nation to beware of and identify these wolves and rabid dogs masquerading as journalists who are prepared to sell their self respect , honor (if they have any) and even their profession at the first sight of filthy lucre , and who are serving the disgraceful aims of ‘Spin Doctors’ of the murderous regime and fulfilling their most sordid contractual obligations. Lanka e news is in possession of copious information regarding the abduction of Prageeth .There will come a time when the murderous regime’s so called sentinels and brags will turn into crows that cannot even caw and birds that cannot fly and escape. That will be the era when the puny fish will become sharks , and truth will declare itself . We will then settle old scores by paying back in the same coin with honesty , integrity and dignity unlike these wolves and rabid dogs.