Systemic crisis: It is not over

By Sumanasiri Liyanage-January 28, 2013

There is an unusual and unexpected calmness in Hulftsdorp in the post-impeachment days in spite of the fact that all traditions and conventions were put aside in the appointment of the new Chief Justice in place of Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake. At the time of appointment as the CJ, Mr Mohan Pieris was a director of many private companies and the legal advisor to the Cabinet. Previously, of course with rare exceptions, it was either a most senior Supreme Court Judge or the Attorney General who was appointed by the President as the CJ. The present appointment is totally outside the legal system. This is somewhat a hilarious occurrence. Previously, a retired CJ was appointed as an advisor to the President; this time a legal advisor was promoted to the position of CJ. Karl Marx would have added, first time as a tragedy and second time as a farce. The system of making CJ after retirement political was replaced now by pre-CJ political training. Hence if he comes up with pro-government and pro-private enterprise verdicts, it would not be a matter to be surprised. It is equally amusing that the ‘big talks’ of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the Lawyers’ Collective have come to an end suddenly. One of my friends at the university remarked: "We struck work for nearly 100 days; they have failed to fight back even a day". In explaining this post-impeachment scenario, I advance further the argument that was outlined in my previous articles on the same subject.

Let me begin with a point that is of relatively less importance. Why has the lawyer community failed to continue their campaign? Lawyers’ struggle has been purely legal-constitutional so that it was grounded on a very weak and fragile basis. Constitution is a ‘text’ reading of which may produce multiple meanings. As a person with no legal background or training, my reading of the text is a layman’s reading. In my reading of the 1978 Constitution, it is totally incorrect to argue that although separation of powers between three organs of the state is clearly specified in it, three organs stand on a par with each other. Article 4 specifies how ‘the sovereignty of the people shall be exercised’. Not only the legislative power of the people but also the judicial power of the people shall be exercised by the Parliament, the difference is while the former shall be exercised by the Parliament directly the latter shall be done indirectly through courts set up by it. Constitution provides measures to ensure the operational independence of the judiciary vis-à-vis the legislature and the executive. However, the judiciary is not an organ of power that is on a par with the legislature and the executive. Secondly, one may wonder why BASL and the Lawyers’ Collective made hair-splitting arguments about the Article 107 (3). Any layman can see that the Parliament can act by using its standing orders over an impeachment motion. I looked at what the 2000 Constitution Draft that some members of the Lawyers’ Collective are well aware of said about the matter. Once again it is verbatim inclusion of what is in 1978 Constitution. Of course, it has proposed to adopt something similar to the 1968 Indian Judiciary Act prior to the acceptance of such an address by the Speaker of the Parliament. That was why I argued in my previous article that the position of the BASL, Lawyers’ Collective and the Supreme Court determination are incorrect. Sri Somnath Chatterjee, a Speaker of Indian Lok Sabha, argued strongly that two organs should act within the boundaries defined by the Constitution. He once remarked: "My humble contention is that no one is above the Constitution. If the Constitution of India has said that no court shall have jurisdiction over the internal proceedings of the legislature, the Court cannot annul it with some sort of interpretation. So, I am hopeful and I believe that the Supreme court, in its wisdom, will not in the future or ever accept any attempt to have such interpretations, which would allow an interfacing supremacy." It appears that the lawyers have decided to end their campaign partly because of the realization that their reading of the text is not correct.

By emphasizing the ‘legality’ of the impeachment process, I do not reject the view that the impeachment process from the beginning to an end has been a politically motivated exercise. On the contrary, I submit that this so-called legality is the one that has to be questioned and challenged.

Let me now turn to a point of great importance recapitulating the principle argument that I advanced in my previous articles. In Sri Lanka, the state of exception today is not an exceptional state but a normal situation. Of course the process is still in progress. An attempt to increase the number of hours that police can keep a person without presenting to a magistrate from 24 to 48 hours is another step to make this state of exception normal. The Government has already presented a bill to that effect even the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) has recommended to reduce the duration of police custody. Since the state of exception has been established through constitutional means it has to be supported by introducing two incentive and ideological instruments, namely, a system of bribes and promoting Sinhala Buddhist ideology. Renewal of hate campaign against Muslims in Sri Lanka with the support of the Government or the parties belonging to governmental coalition is a clear evidence to the presence of this second element. In such a situation all liberal slogans like the establishment of the rule of law is totally meaningless as many things have been done either by following existing law or introducing new laws or amending existing laws. The tug of war between the executive and the judiciary in the last 3- 4 months is a reflection of the crisis of the system. The executive responded by using the mechanism of impeachment to oust the CJ who had refused to operate within this system. Appointment of Mr Peiris as a new CJ putting aside traditions and conventions is an attempt to patch up once again this decadent moribund system. The silent acceptance of new CJ by the legal community that includes judges and lawyers show that the government was able to succeed for the time-being. Nonetheless, it does not mean that the system is stable or is based on solid ground. Although it appears that everything is hunky dowry, the continuous eruption of crisis and the presence of conflicts on a regular basis shows the system prevails not because it can resolve amicably conflicts it encounters but because of the weakness and lack of perspective with regard to oppositional forces. The questions where and how next systemic eruption occurs is difficult one to be answered. However, the question why is obvious.

The writer is co-coordinator of the Marx School, Colombo, Kandy and Negombo.

E-mail: sumane_l@yahoo.com

Mohan Pieris’s Gross Misconduct And Dishonesty Exposed Before The SC

By Mudliyar -January 29, 2013 

Mohan Pieris’s gross misconduct and dishonesty is vividly exposed before the Supreme Court with some overwhelming evidence filed before the Court yesterday in the Fundamental Right Petition(SCFR 536/2010) that originally filed in September 2010 by the Senior Customs Officer, T R Ratnasiri, the Petitioner.

Nagananda Kodituwakku

In this case Mohan Pieris’s dishonesty and misconduct, concerning the defrauding of619 million rupees of Public Funds is exposed with some hard evidence produced by the Director General of Customs, cited as a Respondent in the case by way ofObservations submitted on the Petition filed by the Petitioner, which states that the Attorney General, Mohan Peiris was directly responsible for this colossal loss of public funds with his dishonest act of deceiving not only the Director General of Customs but also the Supreme Court.

In the Motion filed before the Supreme Court yesterday by the Instructing Attorney appointed by the Petitioner, states that the life of the Counsel,  Nagananda Kodituwakku, a British Lawyer, who had undertaken to present this case is under tremendous threat to withdraw from the case, which the Counsel had Complaint to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and also to the Sri Lanka Police on 23^rd January 2013, since arrived in Sri Lanka on 21^st of January 2013 hoping to present this case. In the police complaint, that is also filed before the Supreme Court, the Counsel seeks police protection during his stay in Sri Lanka, and points his finger on Mohan Pieris if harmful action, if any, hatched against him, like a framed ‘accidental death’ or something similar, and the Counsel states further in the complaint that in such an event he suspects no other person but only Mohan Pieris, who faced a tremendous charge of misconduct and dishonestly in this case that is due to come up before the Supreme Court on 31^st of January 2013.

Police (Mirihana, Colombo) Complaint ref: CIB (2)/ 52/332 of 23^rd Jan 2013

I, Nagananda Kodituwakku, 58 years of age, Attorney-at-Law and Solicitor (England & Wales), domiciled in England and currently residing at 99, Subadrarama Road Nugegoda, Sri Lanka do hereby state as follows.

I have undertaken to support a very important Fundamental Rights Application (No 536/2010), which has been filed before the Supreme Court on 24^th of September 2010. For a period of over 2 years and 4 months, this case has not been allowed to be supported before the Supreme Court due to numerous improper and inappropriate actions adopted by the Attorney General, expected to uphold the rule of law and not to protect and uphold the interests of fraudsters and cheats.

The fundamental reason for the inordinate delay and evasion of the supporting of the case is that, in this case, the gross professional misconduct and dishonesty of Mohan Peiris, (then the Attorney General), who is accused for deceiving Director General of Customs and the Supreme Court, is plainly exposed with irrefutable evidence, presented by way of ‘Observations’ made by the Director General of Customs. In this case, Mohan Peiris’s professional misconduct is further proved with the documentary evidence, including an affidavit by the Director General of Customs, which speaks for themselves of Mohan Peiris’s gross misconduct and dishonesty as a person who held a high profile public office. And in this case his improper actions and his connivance in defrauding a sum of Rs 519 million of public funds, with the knowledge and tacit approval of P B Jayasundara, the Finance Secretary, who is also cited in his personal Capacity, is plainly brought to light by the evidence presented by the Petitioner and the Director General of Customs.

I have visited Sri Lanka for more than 6 times to present this public interest litigation, yet, for the reasons set out above, and despite strong objections taken against the endless postponements, this case was never allowed to be presented, causing enormous pain and hardship to the Petitioner and his counsel.

In Sri Lanka, the Fundamental Rights Applications are of unique nature, and the Supreme Court is empowered to protect these rights of the citizens at all times. And this has been the very standpoint of the Supreme Court, which has held that the Fundamental Rights Applications are qualitatively different from other types of applications and hence warrants greater latitude with respect to their review and redress, in order to encompass the equitable jurisdiction exercised in these applications.

When this case was expected to be supported on 05^th October 2012, due to an apparent threat posed to my life, I was forced to move for a date and return to England on 26^th September 2012, after having made a  complaint to the  Police on 25^th Sep 2012.

Now this case is re-fixed for support on 31^st of January 2013, in a backdrop where the accused, Mohan Peiris himself has accepted the appointment to the office of the Chief Justice, with a scant respect or regard whatsoever to the Rule of law and moral integrity. Since supporting of this Fundamental Right Action would pose an imminent threat to the very survival of Mohan Peiris at the office of the Chief Justice, once again there is a serious threat posed to my life, with a clear warning, not to appear in the case. I have already reported this matter to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK and the British High Commission in Colombo, before returned to Colombo on 21^st of January 2013. And just after my arrival, I received another email yesterday by somebody identified themselves as ‘Deshapremi’ with the following warning.

‘Chilling Warning’ – You have refused our warning and returned to Sri Lanka at your own risk. Appearance in the case against the CJ, against our advice will bring an END with fatal results.

In this background, I am contemplating to make an application to lay by the matter against Mohan Peiris, however, with the Petitioner’s legal rights reserved to support the case, once the Rule of Law in the country is duly restored.

I am making this complaint seeking appropriate measures be taken  to protect my life during my stay in Sri Lanka, and if harmful action, if any, hatched against me, like a framed ‘accidental death’ or something similar, I have only one person to be suspected and held  responsible for any such act, that is Mohan Peiris.

Nagananda Kodituwakku

Related posts;

Aspirant CJ Mohan Pieris Exposed: Professional Misconduct As Attorney General

Rs 619 Million Public Funds Fraud Case Against Mohan Peiris And PB Jayasundara: The Lawyer Was Threatened

abduction and assault of Journalis Jayantha

Posted by Thavam

Black January: Ceaseless media suppression in Sri Lanka, with total impunity

28 Jan, 2013 Sunanda Deshapriya

Image via RNW

Groundviews

The month of January is coming to and end. January marks a number of major attacks that have taken place on media freedom in Sri Lanka. For this reason, January is referred to as the ‘Black January’ of media suppression. This year too, journalists’ organisations in the country are commemorating Black January as an event to mark continued suppression of independent media and journalists in Sri Lanka.

The war against the LTTE was accompanied by another war. It was the war against independent media in Sri Lanka. The war against the LTTE came to an end in 2009. The war against free media in Sri Lanka has not. It a war that cannot be won. Freedom of speech is inherent right which can not be suppressed forever. The commemoration of Black January is itself a vivid example of vitality of free speech, in desperate circumstances.

What follows is an incomplete list of attacks on media and journalists that took place in the month of January since 2005. Not a single case of killing, assault or arson listed here has been investigated to completion and culprits brought to book.

January

1^st: Editor of the Sunday Leader revealed that there is a plan to assassinate the owner of Sirasa Network. (2006)

1^st: Member of Parliament T. Maheshwaran was shot dead. He was murdered just few hours after he made a statement saying that he would, in the near future, reveal in the Parliament the State and Para-Military organisations which were behind killings in Jaffna. (2008)

1^st: State channel ITN acquired the Jaffna broadcasting waves of Shakthi Channel of the MBCNetwork. (2010)

2^nd: Bomb attack on Sirasa studio complex at Dapanama, Colombo.. (2009)

2^nd: The former Chairperson of Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association had to flee to a European country for the safety of his life. (2013)

3^rd: Commander of the Sri Lankan Army at the time, Sarath Fonseka, stated that the only obstacle to win the war was a handful of traitorous journalists. (2008)

4^th:The president imposed a state of emergency on 04^th January 2005. Issuing a statement FMM expressed its concern on the implications of emergency rule for freedom of speech in Sri Lanka. In the proceeding years FMM proved right and the emergency rule became one of the main tools of media suppression. The emergency regulations continue to date with some of the repealed sections (2011) incorporated in to the PTA, the Terrorism Prevention Act. (2005)

4^th: A. Daniel, an Internet based journalist in Jaffna, was arrested and interrogated for 3 hours for having allegedly exposed in a news item that the Governor of Jaffna had imposed an interdiction on a British Parliamentarian who was visiting Jaffna. (2012)

5^th: The CID interrogated Joe Jayakumar, the photographer of Weerakesari, on the photographs related to war published in the paper. (2006)

5^th: The Jaffna office of Yal Thinakkural paper was raided and searched by the Military. (2006)

5^th: Former journalist Lalith Seneviratne and Sisira Priyankara and Nihal Serasinha, journalists attached to the trade union monthly Akuna were abducted. They were accused of being connected to LTTE and tortured in custody. However no charges have been filed till now. (2008)

6^th: An armed group belonging to a political party threatened the Udayan newspaper to shut down. A serious threats against the paper followed. (2008)

6^th: A armed attack of a military style took place on the MTV/MBC studio complex. Even prior to the start of investigations the Defence Secterary stated that this was an “inside job”. A local politician of UNP was arrested for allegedly being connected to the attack and was later released. (2009)

7^th: The verbal attack on the journalist Sri Ranga, who was at the time a Director of Shakthi TV, by Parliamentarian Douglas Devananda who claimed Sri Ranga was a terrorist attached to LTTE. Repeated threats to the life of Sri Ranga followed. (2008)

7^th: The house of Poddala Jayantha, journalist and then General Secretary of Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, was visited by a group of policemen in civil attire during night. No protocol had been followed with regard to this house call. (2008)

7^th: Judicial Service Commission condemned the continued insults against the judiciary and the Chief Justice carried out by state controlled media. However the defamatory campaign by the state media did not stop. (2013)

8^th: Editor of the Sunday Leader at the time, Lasantha Wickramatunga, was murdered by unidentified gunmen on four motor bikes. He was a leading critic of the regime at the time. (2009)

8^th: Opposition leader Ranil Wickranatunga criticized Sri Lanka’s English news papers and threatened that the papers should be brought before the Parliamentary Privilege Committee. He mentioned that the newspapers distorted his speeches. (2013)

9^th: The inaugural march of opposition coalition led by M.P. S. B. Dissanayaka, in Nugegoda, Colombo was disturbed by a group led by Minister Mervin Silva. Journalists who were covering event, Gnanasiri Koththigoda an Ajith Seneviratne were assaulted. (2007)

10^th: Sri Lankan Government started registering web sites. Among 81 applications received first, only 21 were approved, stated Mr. Ganegala, the Secretary to the Media Ministry. (2012)

10^th: An pro government armed group attacked the peaceful march started in the proximity of court complex in Hultsdorf which was organised by Sri Lanka Bar Association. The police ensured the safety of the gang. (2013)

10^th: A worker who was distributing the most popular Tamil newspaper in Jaffna , Udayan, was assaulted by a gang of motor cyclists. His motor-bike and the pile of papers to be distributed were set fire to. (2013)

10^th: Letters with death threats were sent to three journalists in Mannar, A. T. Mark, S. R. Lambert and N. J. Belesthus, who had published reports critical of Minister Rishard Badurdeen who organised a protest against the judiciary. (2013)

11^th: P. M. M. A Kadar, one of the most senior journalists in Ampara was hospitalized after a serious attack by a politician of the governing party. He was attacked while he was collecting information on internally displaced persons. (2011)

12^th: President Rajapaksa telephoned the editor of the Sunday Leader Lasantha Wickramatunga and severely accused him. Wickramatunga was killed three years later, just four days to the president’s threat. (2006)

12^th: Popular and dissenting web site, LankaNewWeb, stated that it is continually being attacked by Hakers. Sri Lankan Government had banned the website earlier. (2012)

13^th: Police made a surprise raid at the office of the Sunday Leader newspaper during the presidential election period. No incriminatory evidence found. (2010)

14^th: Sri Lanka Press Council which was established by the Government amidst the requests of media organisations started functioning and 08 media organisations released a statement condemning the SLPC. (2011)

15^th: Mohan Peiris, who uttered a blatant lie to the United Nations that journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, who was made to disappear, lives in a foreign country and did not complete any investigation on murders of journalists while he was the Attorney-General, was appointed Chief Justice. (2013)

15^th: Police barred many journalists who went to report the former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake leaving her official residence and police blocked her attempt to speak to the journalists. (2013)

15^th: A group of people in Military uniforms and civil attire launched a used engine oil attack on some members of the Equal Rights Movement, journalists and civil society groups who were conducting a signature campaign in Jaffna. Earlier of the day a group attacked the vehicle of the members of Equal Rights Movement travelling to Jaffna fled amidst police protection. (2013)

15^th: Ministry of Mass Media announced that every news web site based in Sri Lanka must pay Rs. 35, 000 as a registration fee before the 15^th January. There is no registration fee for newspapers or magazines in Sri Lanka. (2013)

16^th: It was reported that the editor of the Government controlled paper, Silumina, requested to ban websites that disseminate dissenting ideas. (2013)

16^th: Chandima Alwis, a reporter of Mawubima based in Katharagama, was attacked by a Provincial Council member of governing party named Aththanayaka, against a report he published. (2012)

17^th: A bomb attack on Thinakkural Residence in Jaffna, owned by Thinakkural newspaper caused considerable damage. It was reported that the purpose behind the attack was to stop a scheduled media discussion against disappearances in the North. (2012)

18^th: Inland Revenue Department called upon the offices of Mawubima and Sunday Standardnewspapers. Separate businesses of the owner of Sunday Standard was also raided and the list of organisations which provide advertisements for the paper were taken. Due to suppression that continued later, both the papers had to be close down. (2007)

18^th: Letters containing death threats were sent to four senior lawyers who took the lead in the major campaign against the impeachment of the former Chief Justice. They have been threatened for expressing opinions against the impeachment. (2013)

22^nd: A journalist allegedly attached to LTTE, Prakash Shakthi Pillai, was arrested at the airport. President stated, at a meeting with press owners, that Pillai, an LTTE cadre, had been provided with a fake journalist identity card by FMM convenor Sunanda Deshapriya. He had been arrested due to a fake ID he had created himself. No one knows what proceeded. (2009)

24^th: S. Sugeerdharajan, a journalist in Trincomalee who provided photographic evidence to show that 5 Trinco students had died of gun shot injuries of close range, was shot dead. Military was accused by many as the culprits. (2007)

24^th: A motorcycle gang attacked the editor of Rivira newspaper, Upali Tennakoon with sharp weapons. Attackers had to flee as his wife started to shout. Before leaving the country Mr. Tennakoon stated that police did not attempt to arrest the suspects. (2009)

24^th: Journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda of LankaeNews was abducted and made to disappear. State media and govt politicians launched massive campaign saying that Eknaligoda is in voluntary hiding. (2010)

25^th: Defence Secretary mentioned to a newspaper that media control is essential and it is absolutely unnecessary to write about the military. After the pronouncement fatal attacks were launched upon two journalists who produced critical reports on military operations. (2008)

25^th: Journalist Lal Hemantha Mawalage, a producer of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, was assaulted with a shape weapon while he was on the way home at night. His right hand was severely injured and he was subjected to surgery. This attack was considered a revenge on the journalist community’s resistance against Minister Mervin Silva’s forced entry to Rupavahini Corporation on the 27^th December 2007. (2008)

25^th: Government supported gangs armed with poles prevented journalists organisations staging the first Black January Protest. Police provided protection to the armed gang. (2012)

26^th: Minister of Mass Media and Information, Keheliya Rambukwella told reports that media organisations and journalists fighting for media freedom in Sri Lanka are dependent on LTTE’s funds. (2012)

28^th: Assistant editor of the daily Thinakaran, Zuheeb M. Cassim, was attacked with a dagger. Prior to the attack, Chairperson of Lakehouse had transferred Cassim and the attack was considered to be related to that event. (2008)

28^th: Chandana Sirimalwatte, the editor of Lanka newspaper was arrested. He was released on the 16^th February without charges. (2010)

28^th: The website Nidahasa News which supported the presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka was banned. (2010)

28^th: Prgramme Producer of Rupavahini Corporation, Ravi Abeywickrema, was assaulted by its Chairperson. The reason behind the attack was the protest conducted by the media community urging a balanced election reporting during the presidential election. (2010)

29^th: Media employee of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Dulip Dushyantha’s house was forcibly entered by two gunmen at night with the intention of killing him. This was also considered a revenge on the journalist community’s hostility against Minister Mervin Silva’s forced entry to Rupavahini Corporation on the 27^th December 2007. (2008)

29^th: Reports appear saying that it has been decided to cancel the licence of MBC/MTV Network as it supported the presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka. However later, it was decided not to implement the initial decision. Today the network is considered as a pro Government institution. (2010)

29^th: The office of Lanka E-News website, which supported presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka, was surrounded by armed groups. (2010)

29^th: The office of Lanka newspapers attached to JVP, which also supported Sarath Fonseka during the presidential candidate, was sealed by the police. Later it was unsealed without charges. (2010)

31^st: The office of Lanka E-News, a popular trilingual web site, was set fire to by a group of unidentified thugs. Official computers and the priceless library were completely gutted. Later its editor had to flee the country for safety. (2011)

To be continued…

Before Geneva debate, 13 should be abolished.

Government should go for the Geneva diplomatic debate to bring an end to the 13th constitution amendment. Otherwise there is a risk; the country getting divided was said by Patriotic Nation movement.

 

Even though attempts done to stand upside down, America's antagonistic attitude will not change, was pointed out by that movement. While making opinions about the United Nation Human Rights Assembly's annual sessions which is scheduled to be held in the city of Swiss, Geneva on the forthcoming March month, the Patriotic National movement Leader Dr.Gunadasa Amarasekara made the above statements.

 

 By focusing Sri Lanka concerning human rights issues, America including western world did not pressurize, contrary racism attempts are to split the country for which they are involved.

 

State is pressurized to implement 13th amendment. However separatist forces first stage of activities is dividing the country by implementing the 13th amendment to the constitution.

 

He expressed after implementing the 13th amendment, by submitting the proposal for separate state, those countries will attempt to resume pandemonium in the country. Hence current 13th amendment is an element of deciding the trend of Sri Lanka was said by him.

 

Therefore government should proceed its journey to Geneva by abolishing it from the constitution. Whatever expressed for goodwill concerning Sri Lanka, America will not give up its insidious attitude was further stated by him. 

Monday , 28 January 2013

Why’s Kollywood silent on the Viswaroopam controversy?

The Tamil and Telugu versions of “Vishwaroopam”, which deals with the adversities of war, were scheduled to release on January 25, 2013, but the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday imposed curbs on it following protests from Muslim groups.

By Lata Srinivasan & M Suganth, TNN | Jan 28, 2013,

Kamal Haasan’s Viswaroopam which was set for release on January 25, with more than 25, 000 tickets sold for the opening weekend in Tamil Nadu, got stalled on January 24 by the government after several Muslim groups petitioned it seeking a ban. A hurt and upsetKamal Haasan called this ‘cultural terrorism’ and said his film was not against his ‘Muslim brothers’ . He said, “I have been ruthlessly used as a vehicle by small groups who seek political profile. Icon bashing is a great way to be noticed when you are not one yourself. It is happening again and again.”
In the last few days, Rajinikanth, Ajith, Bharathiraja, Sarath Kumar, Radhikaa andParthepan, have been some people from the Tamil film industry who have come out and voiced their support forKamal Haasan and urged the government to resolve the issue peacefully and amicably. However, many from Kollywood have chosen to maintain a stoic silence on this issue.

Director Bharathiraja’s statement has been the only strong one so far condemning the silence.”I don’t understand why people who call themselves as artists and creators are maintaining silence regardingKamal Haasan’s trouble releasing Vishwaroopam. Do we need to support only a few in the industry? Are they alone fit to be called artists? Despite there being so many bodies in the film industry, many are keeping mum on this issue, probably because the industry bodies themselves stand split or for personal reasons. What if we too face a similar problem tomorrow as Kamal Haasan is facing today? Where will we go to get relief? We don’t have unity. If a few persons are seeking a ban on a film that has been certified by a body that has been set up by the central government, comprising a government officer and socially conscious members of the society — including a Muslim member— I can’t understand where we should go to get justice.”

But Tamizh Padam director, C S Amudhan, says , “I don’t think the industry is silent; many people have supported Kamal Haasan. In fact, I have expressed my support to him.” A leading producer, on condition of anonymity, adds, “Unlike other film industries, politics and cinema is very strongly intertwined here. Actors have political aspirations and politicians are producers inKollywood. For instance, Michael Rayappan is a producer and so is Anbazhagan among others. While there’s nothing against politicians being producers, taking a stand on such issues may have repercussions for people in K-Town. This is why many have chosen to let the law take its course and not commented on it.”

Another producer, off the record, tells TOI, “There are so many English and Hindi films based onAfghanistan that have been released but there have been no issues with them. In fact, people who have seen the film in Kerala told me that it’s not anti-Muslim at all.”

PMK leader Dr Ramadoss has been one politician who has gone on record to bat for Kamal Haasan and condemned what has happened. In a statement, he said that Kamal could never hurt sentiments of Muslims and Hindus and that the actor was involved in many goodwill measures to promote Hindu-Muslim unity. Ex CM M. Karunanidhi also said that an ‘amicable resolution’ should be arrived at to this controversy.

Most Kollywood people TOI contacted preferred not to comment. Says a filmmaker, on condition of anonymity, “The bottomline is if you want to be in the Tamil film industry, you need to take a neutral stand or stand united with the government. Kamal Haasan had a genuine intention of seeking approval when he showed his film to the Muslim groups who had a problem with it. Unfortunately, it’s backfired.

Urged for a political settlement could obstruct Tamils entering Australia. Alliance briefs the Australian opposition party delegates

Tamil National Alliance had made a request from Australian delegates, to persuade the Sri lanka government to grant a reasonable political settlement to Tamils, and if a dignified political settlement given, Tamils will not face the situation of leaving the country was pointed out.

Australian opposition party Deputy Leader Julie Bishop headed delegates panel reached Sri Lanka yesterday morning on an official visit and met Tamil National Alliance and had a discussion.

The four members’ Australian opposition party panel consist a member handling the external affairs of that party, Immigration and Emigration Minister Gord Morrison, Environment Finance Minister Michael Sinan and Opposition party Deputy Leader.

On behalf of Tamil National Alliance, its leader R.Sambanthan, Sumenthiran M.P was engaged in discussions. The meeting was held at Colombo Taj hotel from 11.00 a.m to 12 noon and the discussion was mainly about the current state of Tamils motherland.  The Alliance briefed the Australian representatives’ panel concerning these issues.

Mainly attempts of fluctuating ethnic dissemination percentage, resettlements in Tamil areas, military transformation, and arrest including suppressions against Tamils were explained to the Australian opposition party delegates’ panel by Alliance.

Meanwhile the Australian panel disclosed its grief to the Alliance about the entry of illegal expatriates to Australia from Sri Lanka during this discussion.

In response Alliance expressed, the reason is the nonexistence of a political settlement and owning to this, Tamils are in a state of leaving the country which they pointed out. Further Australia should in all levels utilize pressure to Sri Lanka to grant a reasonable political settlement to the Tamils was a request made by the Alliance.

Questions were raised by the Australian opposition party delegates’ panel, and adequate replies were given by the Alliance.

Alliance believes that the Australian panel will take action to express this to the respective country parliament.

Meanwhile the recently visited Australian Immigration Minister headed delegates panel to Sri Lanka,  too met the Alliance is much aware. 

Monday , 28 January 2013

அவுஸ்திரேலிய எதிர்க்கட்சிக் குழு கிளிநொச்சிக்கு விஜயம்! கூட்டமைப்புடன் சந்திப்பு!

[ திங்கட்கிழமை, 28 சனவரி 2013, 03:33.35 AM GMT ]

இலங்கைக்கான விஜயத்தை மேற்கொண்டுள்ள அவுஸ்திரேலியாவின் எதிர்க்கட்சிக் குழு இன்று கிளிநொச்சிக்கான விஜயத்தை மேற்கொள்வதற்கு திட்டமிட்டுள்ளதாக தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது.

அவுஸ்திரேலிய பாராளுமன்றத்தின் பிரதி எதிர்க்கட்சித் தலைவர் ஜூலி பிஷோப் மற்றும் பிரித்தானிய எதிர்க்கட்சிக் குழுவினர் உத்தியோகப்பூர்வ விஜயம் ஒன்றை மேற்கொண்டு நேற்று இலங்கை வந்தடைந்தனர்.

இவர்கள் நேற்று மாலை வேளையில் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பினருடன் கலந்துரையாடல் ஒன்றில் ஈடுபட்டனர்.

த.தே. கூட்டமைப்பின் உள்ளூராட்சி சபைப் பிரதிநிதிகளுடன் அவுஸ்ரேலிய எதிர்க்கட்சிக் குழு சந்திப்பு

அவுஸ்திரேலிய பாராளுமன்றத்தின் பிரதி எதிர்க்கட்சித் தலைவர் ஜூலி பிஷோப் தலைமையிலான குழுவினர் இன்று யாழ்ப்பாணத்தில் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் உள்ளூராட்சி சபைத் தலைவர்களைச் சந்தித்துக் கலந்துரையாடியுள்ளனர்.

இன்று காலை பலாலி விமான நிலையத்திற்கு வந்த இவர்களை தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் துணைப் பொதுச் செயலாளர் சீ.வி.கே சிவஞானம் வரவேற்று அழைத்து வந்தார்.

இதனைத் தொடர்ந்து மல்லாகத்தில் இடம்பெயர்ந்து வாழும் மக்களை இவர்கள் நேரில் சந்தித்துக் கலந்துரையாடியுள்ளதோடு, தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் யாழ். அலுவலகத்தில் உள்ளூராட்சி சபைத் தலைவர்களைச் சந்தித்துக் கலந்துரையாடினார்கள்.

இதன்போது அவுஸ்ரேலியாவிற்கு சட்டவிரோதமாக குடியேறும் தமிழர்கள், இராணுவ நெருக்குவாரங்கள், மனித உரிமை மீறல்கள், உள்ளிட்ட பல விடயங்கள் தொடர்பில் அவர்களுக்கு விளக்கமளிக்கப்பட்டது.

இதனைத் தொடர்ந்து இவர்கள் கிளிநொச்சிக்கும் முல்லைத்தீவிற்கும் விஜயம் செய்யவுள்ளதாகத் தெரிவிக்கப்படுகின்றது.

Kassipu Lakshman M.P. who pays extortion money in millions to Rajapakses breaks Thenuka M.P’s arm

(Lanka-e-News -27.Jan.2013, 11.30PM) The UNP district M P Thenuka Vidhanagamage who had a fierce argument in Parliament on the 24th with Lakshman Perera of Matale , the evil and illicit partner in the clandestine kasippu business of the Medamulana backwoods Rajapakse land crocodiles had attacked Thenuka brutally this dawn so much so that his limb had been broken , according to an urgent fearsome report reaching Lanka e news. Thenuka Vidhanagamage had fallen victim to this ruthless assault when he was returning after attending a lecture delivered at Amaya Hotel situated in, Kandy , on 25th night. This event was attended by Lakshman Perera ,the Medamulana Kassipu partner too. Though both of them were having police security details , Lashman Perera had an additional security contingent that had arrived in a black Defender vehicle . After the event , Vidharnagamage had left the venue when the security contingent of Lakshman Perera who came in the Defender vehicle mentioned previously had stopped Vidhanagamage’s vehicle , taken Vidhanagamage out and fiercely assaulted him. When the MP was attacked with a rod , he had tried to ward it off by raising his right arm when the rod had struck his arm and severed it from his body. Right now he is hospitalized at Kandy Hospital having sustained serious injuries Vidhanagamage’s bed No. is 12/964 . He was admitted to the Hospital at 12.10 a.m. yesterday (26) The statement made first to the Hospital police by Vidhanagamage mentioned he was attacked by a group of about six persons of Lakshman Perera who came in a Defender vehicle , and that he was pushed to the ground and attacked with rods while he was fallen on the ground , and that his arm had been broken , had been changed subsequently by pressures exerted by Medamulana MaRa . The statement had been amended to Vidhanagamage’s arm getting broken because he fell from the vehicle while trying to get into it. It is a pity that under the Medamulana backwoods land crocodiles’ administration there is not one person who can come forward and express the truth even if his own arm is broken , not to mention its own SLFP members. Is this because the situation is so frightening or pathetic in SL ? May we recall that Lanka e news on many occasions exposed with copious evidence how the Medamulana backwoods Rajapakse land crocodiles are carrying on a massive illicit kasippu business Islandwide jointly with Speaker Chamal Rajapakse’s daughter in law Leksika and through Matale Lakshman Perera , and the latter is paying a sum of nearly Rs. 300 million as extortion monies (kappam) to MaRa monthly based on reports . It is worthy of note that Vidhanagamage M P the victim of this deadly assault , revealed in Parliament on the 24th that Lakshman Perera the illicit kasippu Mudalali is collecting Rs. 1000/- per day as extortion fee from each lorry in Girandurukotte that is transporting sand along Wilgamuwa highway. His total collection from 400 such lorries amounts to Rs. Four lakhs per day , according to the shocking disclosures made by Vidhanagamage. The latter told this evil illicit kasippu Mudalali to his face ‘ You are a worst crook . You are making money by crooked means’ . This accusation led to a near clash between them when Arundhika Fernando intervened and calmed them down. To the Medamulana backwoods land crocodiles , who respect no laws , know no civilized behavior and only obsessed with the millions of extortion money collected through the kasippu Mudalali don’t respect life or limb of even a Parliamentary representative, let alone their own advisor , which was borne testimony to by the assassination of Baratha Lakshman , the Presidential advisor. The SLFP members being unable to understand these evils and portents is an index of the sorry plight of theirs in particular and the grave predicament the country in general is in.