Colonizing Sinhalese in Nawatkuli, is it reconciliation? Mano Ganeshan query from government

Thursday , 07 February 2013

Forcible colonization’s of Sinhalese people in the north, is it government's reconciliation.  This activity clearly establishes a difference between government’s words and act was said by Democratic People’s Front Leader Mano Ganeshan.

 

He made this statement concerning the fast developing of Sinhala colonization in Nawatkuli. 

 

Confiscating Tamils lands outrageously will not show at all national harmony. At a state President Mahinda Rajapakse establish international sector that reconciliation is the answer, at the same time, land confiscation is advancing in Nawatkuli.

 

This clearly establishes the difference in Sri Lanka government's words and act.

 

Any race could live in any part of the country, which we accept. But by directly or indirectly acquiring the government's corporation and confiscating racial basis objective by getting settled is an act of transforming the national reconciliation, looks like  a teasing act.

 

 What I replied to President's Independence Day speech, was proved within few days?

 

We should not wait until India or U.S to cease this Sinhala colonization in Nawatkuli. Tamil National leaders with the friendly parties should join and oppose this in the pacifism way. This is the only way for us was said by him.

 

Tamil National Alliance Jaffna district parliament member Suresh Piremachandran questioned whether hundreds of Tamil people could illegally colonize in Colombo, Galle, Hambantota or any part of Sri Lanka.  But here Sinhalese with the backup of military with the corporation from ministers got illegally settled down.

 

Sinhala people can function according to their desire, which is wrong. The lands forcibly taken over by the Sinhala people in Nawatkuli belong to the National Housing Directive Board. Minister Douglas Devananda in the year 2010 made a statement that the ministry had ordered the people to evacuate the land.

 

 

But now they have lived here and have begun to construct permanent houses.  Minister should explain this to the connected officials and should evacuate them.

 

Thousands of people in Jaffna do not own a single land; those from somewhere are given lands. They notified that these Sinhala people lived before in Jaffna. But there is no proof, evidence or any documentation. They did not even possess lands in Jaffna was mentioned by him.

Law college student’s picketed train and stage protest against Rajapaksa arrival

[ Thursday, 07 February 2013, 03:25.29 PM GMT +05:30 ]

Various protest staged in several parts of Tamil Nadu against the visit of Lankan president to Bigar tomorrow.

Law college students of Kowai picketed the Cholan express train to Chennai at Chenkalpattu railway station and also burnt the effigy of Lankan president.  Meanwhile movement of Tamil Tribal people in Madurai also stage protest against arrival of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in front of Collectors office this afternoon.

Bank of Ceylon branch attacked in Chennai

CHENNAI, February 7, 2013

The HinduA picture of vandalised room at the Chennai branch of Bank of Ceylon. Photo: Special Arrangement.

An unidentified group on Thursday afternoon ransacked the Bank of Ceylon branch in Egmore and attacked its employees. The attack is suspected to be orchestrated by a Tamil group in protest against the visit of Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India on Friday.

The group barged into the Bank complex around 1.30 p.m. and attacked the police personnel on duty. While some damaged the guard's room other rushed to the first floor of the branch and vandalised furniture and other items. They attacked some bank staff including a trainee who is a city college student, police sources added.

Madam Poshitha changes the manner of accepting bribes

Thursday, 07 February 2013 

Administration Commissioner of the Motor Vehicle Department, Poshitha Abeysirigunawardena has started harassing employees of the department whom she believes had given information about her to our website following the publication of the story(Meet Motor Vehicle Commissioner Madam Poshitha, to get work done without an owner )revealing how she accepts bribes, sources from the department said.

Before the expose, Poshitha used to openly accept bribes, but has now changed her manner and style of taking money. She has managed to get employees at the department whom she believed have spoken against her transferred out and has replaced them with persons she has worked with earlier at the Department for the Registration of Persons.

Therefore, persons who are affiliated to Poshitha at the Department for the Registration of Persons are getting transfers to the Motor Vehicle Department.

Director General of the Motor Vehicle Department, S.H. Harischandra has not taken any action against Poshitha’s conduct. Poshitha is the wife of Senior DIG Jagath Abeysirigunawardena and she is engaged in accepting bribes without any fear of being reported to the Transport Ministry, Bribery Commission or the Presidential Secretariat due to her affiliation to the Police.

Senior DIG Jagath Abeysirigunawardena is also a police officer who does not hold a good name in the Police Department.

Customs loses Rs 480 M

By Gagani Weerakoon-2013-02-07   The Sri Lanka Customs has incurred loss of approximately Rs 480 million as a result of the government granting permission to import eight super luxury limousines to Sri Lanka in the period 2010 to 2011. This was disclosed during a response by Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Minister of International Monetary Co-operation and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, to an oral question posed by Colombo District UNP Parliamentarian, Ravi Karunanayake, in Parliament yesterday. Accordingly, the loss incurred for each limousine is Rs 60 million. All eight limousines were imported by Prestige Limousines (Pvt) Ltd. in 2011. Karunanayake questioned as to why the government granted special permission to import limousines, to which Dr. Amunugama responded in the negative saying no 'special permission' was granted, but those were imported under the normal regulations that prevailed in the country at the time. Any individual can import any item that was not prohibited by the Import and Export (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969, by paying due taxes according to the prevailing regulations, thus, these limousines were imported according to these regulations, the minister said. Karunanayake, however, pointed out that according to the answer tabled by the minister, only Rs 4,300,000 (Rs 4.3 million) has been paid as duty for each limousine imported, which had ultimately ended up depriving the Customs of Rs 480 million. "Why did the government allow this to happen?" he questioned, to which Dr. Amunugama responded, "We did not realized it then, but as soon as we realized that we are incurring a loss, we imposed a 350% duty on the importation of super luxury vehicles (limousines) in last budget."

Govt. and Ulamas reiterate -‘halal certificate’ voluntary THURSDAY, 07 FEBRUARY 2013 The Government and the All Ceylon Jaamiyathul Ulama (ACJU), reiterated today, that obtaining of the halal certificate is voluntary and the entire process is based on International specifications. Leader of the House and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, on behalf of the government, made a detailed response today to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who asked the government to take steps to ease religious tension. In his statement the previous day, Mr. Wickremesinghe said that the ACJU, the apex body of Muslim clerics, had no legal power to issue Halal certification on business ventures. The minister said that anyone had the right either to reject or accept Halal certified food items, but nobody would be allowed to impose it on another. Mr. de Silva replied that ACJU campaigned vigorously for Sri Lanka in Geneva last year, and the government remained ever grateful to them. Therefore, he said the government regretted Mr. Wickremesinghe’s critical remarks on ACJU. “We regret such a statement against ACJU merely because they refused to act as the cat’s paw of the opposition,” he said. Besides, the Leader of the House said that Halal certification is essential in international trade; it is followed by some European countries in addition to Muslim countries in the world. “Internationally, Halal certification is issued by the World Halal Food Council based in Indonesia. It has accredited worldwide organizations to issue such certification. In Sri Lanka,   ACJU has been accredited for it,” he said. As a result, he said, there is no need for the government to give ACJU legal recognition for that purpose. “It is purely an Islamic religious affair. One has the right to reject or accept Halal food. Yet, we will not allow anyone to impose it on another,” he said.   However, the Opposition Leader disputed this claim and charged that ACJU earned money fraudulently by issuing Halal certification. “ACJU is involved in a fraud. They campaigned for Milinda Moragoda at the last Municipal Council Elections,” he said.   Meanwhile, the ACJU today reiterated that the Halal certificate was a voluntarily obtained certificate by businesses and refuted “unfounded allegations on the amounts charged for issuing of certificates” Addressing a news briefing, ACJU Halal division secretary Moulavi Murshid Mulaffer said he regretted the continuous false propaganda generated by various elements regarding the ‘Halal certification’. “I speak to you with a lot of sorrow. We don’t understand the reason or the motive behind these false allegations regarding the Halal system. This is a very transparent process and all our accounts have been duly audited and submitted to the government. All allegations to the effect that this is a multi-million rupee business are totally false” he said. Moulavi Mulaffer went on to add that the Halal division is not a company or a business but an association which provides services.  “Like any other association we charge a fee for the services provided. Each product that is under the Halal certificate would cost less than ten cents and there are no instances of this being passed to a general consumer” he said. Speaking further the cleric, explained that according to Islamic law, every “process” must be Halal, thus the reason for mineral water, cake and other products to fall under the scope of the certification.  “The Halal certificate for cake is given to certify that the cake is free of any additives that have been considered haram. The need for a Islamic certified banking rests on the need to have a banking system free of interest, gambling and other such encumbrances’ which are prohibited” he said, In an emotional appeal, the cleric requested all those who need to verify facts to contact the Jamiyathul Ulema and they will furnish them will all facts and figures regarding the process.  “ We urge any party to come to us and talk to us,we are ready to dispel all these myths and falsities that are now brewing in the country. We want to live in peace with everyone and therefore it is a must that we all be tansparent. We are a transparent organization and we are open to furnish anyone with any details regarding this process” he said. Speaking at the briefing Moulavi Fazli Farook, of the All Ceylon Jamiyathu Ulama, called for religious tolerance. “This country has suffered enough due to the brutal war now we have to move forward. Every Muslim in this country was born a Sri Lankan, will live as a Sri Lankan and will die as a Sri Lankan” he said.

ALL ARE FREE TO ACCEPT OR REJECT HALAL CERTIFIED PRODUCTS - NIMAL SIRIPALA

February 7, 2013 

The government regrets the statement made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe regarding the Halal certificate and the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama organization, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva stated.

The Opposition Leader had stated in parliament yesterday  (February 6) that the government is responsible for ensuring that a clash between the Sinhala and Muslim does not occur like in 1915 while requesting the government to look into reports of Muslim people being harassed by the Sinhalese and in turn cases of Sinhalese shop owners being forced to get the Halal certification by Muslims.

He further stated that having closely inspected the Janiyyathul Ulama Act there was no reference to handing out Halal certificates while Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva stated that he would give a response today (February 7).

He thus stated today that the government is working to protect peace and harmony in the country.

He stated that he regretted the statement made by Ranil regarding the Halal certification and especially the Janiyyathul Ulama organization and claimed that getting the Halal certification was practiced on an international level even by Western countries.

He explained that the International Center for issuing the Halal certificate is in Indonesia and that the World Halal Food Council has representatives all around the world including in Sri Lanka in the form of the Janiyyathul Ulama organization.

He added that the organization was not recognized by the government or any state institution and that no such need had arisen as it is a part of Islamic task.

The Minister added that everyone is free to accept or reject Halal certified products and that no one will be forced into doing either.

Ranil urges Govt. to quell hate campaign against Muslims but poses query on Halal certification

By Ashwin Hemmathagama-February 7, 2013 
Our Lobby Correspondent
Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday sought effective and urgent action from the Government to nip the rising hate campaign against Muslims in the bud in order to prevent further attacks on mosques and protests being carried out in various towns, fuelled by communal hatred between the Muslims and Sinhalese.

This was the first instance the recent frictions between the two ethnicities were taken up in Parliament, with Select Com-mittee involvement sought to ensure an amicable and lasting settlement. “The rights of the Sinhalese must be protected. But there is no need to take away the rights of the Tamils and Muslims. We are all proud of the history of the Sinhalese and the contribution made to safeguard the Theravada doctrine. Similarly, the Tamils and the Muslims have their own cultures rooted in Sri Lanka. They too have made contributions to this country. If the Sinhalese population is in danger of being depleted, we in the United National Party will be the first to raise the issue in the House,” said Wickremesinghe, making a special statement yesterday in Parliament under Standing Order 23 (2).

“In his speech in the house on 21 January 2013, the Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs M.K.D.S. Gunawardena stated that there are no ethnic or communal incidents in the country. While he was speaking, a mob consisting of both Sangha and laymen led by Matale Wedahamuduruwo were parading the streets of Kuliyapitiya carrying photographs of a pig with the word Allah written across it. Police had been informed earlier, but failed to take action to prevent this demonstration. The intervention of Provincial Council Member M.N. Nazeer and Member of Parliament Akila Kariyawasam prevented the situation from turning ugly. This is just one of the many incidents that have taken place in the country recently. Altogether there have been 10 attacks on mosques and protests in various towns. This is an explosive situation which must be addressed immediately by the Government. I read in the papers yesterday that Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi has stated that Saudi Arabia is training Muslim youth to be terrorists and there has been damage to Buddhist shrines in the east. If this is true, this is serious. There has to be inquiry by the Police,” he added.
Also finding fault over a private religious establishment being allowed to issue Halal certificates and the validity of such action, the Opposition Leader said: “Halal certification is entirely a voluntary matter. If anyone has forced Halal certification on business organisations, there must be provisions for an inquiry by the Government after a complaint is made. Unfortunately a businessman in the south complained to me that he was pressured to obtain Halal certification. The Government must inform us why a private organisation is assigned to perform this function, which is the responsibility of the SLSI. The All Ceylon Jemmiyathul Ulama (Incorporation) Act Section 3 does not give power for certification. Even in their own website, they don’t claim any law. They are the single source of clarification that says acting under Islamic law. Why did you fail to start a discussion on this issue with the Muslim community and the business community, I ask the Government?”  Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said the government would give replay to this matter today.

Chairman City Finance writes land under his name

Thursday, 07 February 2013 

The head of City Finance, a financial company that operates under Central Bank monitoring, Diresh Hettiarachchi has written a land that was purchased for a housing project for the company in the Udayapura area in Battaramulla under his company, Invest Lanka. He has done so with approval from the Central Bank.

Industrial Finance Limited is now known as City Finance.

The Central Bank’s monitoring unit of financial institutions had taken over Industrial Finance Limited due to its inability to pay back depositors and other financial irregularities and the company is now carrying out business under the name of City Finance.

Diresh Hettiarachchi has become chairman of City Finance after purchasing shares worth Rs. 100 million. Hettiarachchi is the owner of the now bankrupt Wonderlite Soap Company and has been accused of various financial irregularities. The accusations were so serious that he was sacked from the Battaramulla Lions Club of which he was a member. He was once the Lion President, but the International Lions Club had removed him from the post following the allegations leveled against him.

Such a person was appointed as the head of City Finance due to his close link to the Central Bank Governor. Hettiarachchi after taking over the top post of the company by investing Rs. 100 million has now taken over a Rs. 220 million worth land that was purchased by the company with monies from depositors by writing the land in the name of his personal company, Invest Lanka.

The monitoring unit of non-financial institutions at Central Bank has thus far remained silent over the deal. The silence is mainly due to the Central Bank Governor’s pressure.

The danger in the transaction is that Hettiarachchi is trying to use the land taken under Invest Lanka to raise a personal loan.

Keheliya’s tele drama bribes continue

Thursday, 07 February 2013 

Sources from Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) say the Information and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella takes between Rs. 1.2 million to Rs. 2 million to allocate times for tele dramas to be telecast on Rupavahini.

Many tele drama proedcuers are now moving out of SLRC since they cannot bear an additional amount of around Rs. 2 million after spending a lot of money producing the tele drama. Producers have said that many complaints lodged with the higher authorities have fallen on deaf ears.

The tele dramas that have been signed to be tele cast on Rupavahini have to pay this bribe. Keheliya’s brother telephones the respective tele drama producer a few weeks prior to the telecasting of the drama and directs that the monies be paid. In the event the producer fails to pay the monies, the tele drama will not be telecast on Rupavahini despite the signing of an agreement.

This bribe has to be taken to the Minister not by the producer or director of the tele drama, but by a pretty actress in the drama. SLRC sources say that there have been times when the amount of the bribe has been reduced due to sexual bribes.

Champika’s bombshell

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Editorial-February 4, 2013,

Many a true word is spoken in jest. In Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales we come across this: "A man may say full sooth [the truth] in game and play …." We find something similar in Shakespeare’s King Lear: ‘Jesters do oft prove prophets.’ However, it is not only in comic utterances that the truth is found. One may argue that the truth is often spoken in vituperative outbursts as well. Here is a case in point.

Minister of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy Champika Ranawaka, who lost the plum power and energy portfolio in a recent mini Cabinet reshuffle, has taken a swipe at the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), which, he says, reeks of corruption. In a response replete with vitriol and animosity to a query by a weekend newspaper, he has vowed to expose corruption in the debt-ridden CEB. The question, however, is why he didn’t do so while he was the Minister of Power and Energy. Is it that he did not want to open up a can of worms at that time?

Minister Ranawaka says he has neither left nor will leave any room for bribery and corruption and he was under pressure from many quarters. The power and energy sector is called the ‘gold plated industry’, he tells us, adding: "Costs for projects are inflated, sometimes by 300 percent or more. This shows provision is made by interested parties to meet illegal costs they incur at various tiers when they seek approval … there is a white collar Mafia at work …"

Minister Ranawaka’s diatribe against the CEB reminds us of John Perkins’ earth-shattering revelations in his widely read book, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. Of power projects, inter alia, in the developing countries, Perkins has this to say: "… I might be told [by his female handler while he was learning the ropes as an Economic Hit Man] that the country [targeted by ‘corporatocracy’] was being offered the opportunity to receive a modern electric utility system, and it would be up to me to demonstrate that such a system would result in sufficient economic growth to justify the loan …. If only one project was under consideration, I would need to demonstrate that developing it would bring superior benefits to the GNP. The unspoken aspect of every one of these projects was that they were intended to create large profits for the contractors, and to make a handful of wealthy and influential families in the receiving countries very happy, while assuring the long-term financial dependence and therefore the political loyalty of governments around the world. The larger the loan, the better. The fact that the debt burden placed on a country would deprive its poorest citizens of health, education and other social services for decades to come was not taken into consideration [emphasis added]." This may explain why the third-rate governments in the so-called Third World countries plunge feet first into mega development projects regardless of their economic viability and benefits to the masses who have to pay back huge loans with interest.

That the CEB is corrupt to the core is common knowledge and that fact needs no elaboration. It is hoped that Minister Ranawaka will not renege on his promise to carry out a crusade against corruption in the power and energy sector, albeit belatedly, in the public interest. He has talked the talk and now he has to walk the walk.

As for Minister Ranawaka’s acrimonious outpouring, what really takes the cake is his allegation that a journalist was paid as much as Rs. 5 million to carry out a vilification campaign against him. He says he has evidence to prove his claim. So, what prevents him from going public with the identity of the bribe taker?

The media treats the public to self-righteous moralizing ad nauseam and has taken upon itself the burden of ridding the country of bribery and corruption. But, who will guard the guards—quis custodiet ipsos custodes? That, we believe, is a task for the guards themselves. Therefore, the onus is on all journalists’ associations that vigorously campaign for democracy, good governance, transparency etc and even take to the streets for that purpose, to urge Minister Ranawaka to name the journalist concerned and clear doubts in the public mind. And fast!

The Murder Of A Chief Monk And Execution-Style Killings Of Two Persons

By AHRC -February 7, 2013 

The murder of a chief monk and execution-style killings of two persons — the social implications

The chief monk of Sunandonanda of Egodauyana, Moratuwa was assassinated by a group of persons on the evening of February 4. According to reports there had been a prolonged dispute over a piece of land that the chief monk claimed he had the title for where a number of families had erected their huts. They claimed to have been living there since the Tsunami of December, 2004.

Complaints relating to the dispute had been lodged earlier at the Moratuwa Police Station by both parties and the inquiries were ongoing. Both parties were supporters of the government. It appears that they were both relied on strong men in the employment of their respective patrons in the government. The hut dwellers had complained to various organisations stating that they feared that the chief monk was attempts to evict them.

Following the assassination of the monk two persons suspected of the murder, Sujeewa Gunnaratna (29) and Chandima Nuwanratna, were allegedly arrested by the Mount Lavinia police and later their bodies were found on an isolated road at Bandaragama. They had both been shot in the back of the head indicating an execution-style killing. The Chief Magistrate of Kalutera conducted the inquest at the location where their bodies were found and ordered a post mortem inquiry to be conducted by a Judicial Medical Officer. According to the JMO’s report the deaths were due to shooting causing serious injuries.

Following their deaths their relatives complained that there were difficulties in burying the two as the Kalutera Pradeshiya Sabha (the town council) refused to grant permission for the burial at the Attawilawatte graveyard. According to reports the police had to intervene to find a suitable place by legal means in which to bury the bodies.

Later, seven persons including a Pradeshiya Sabha vice president were arrested as suspects of this monk’s murder and were produced in court.

These incidents raise several issues of serious concern in relation to the function of policing in Sri Lanka. First of all the dispute between the chief monk and the hut dwellers had been a long one and it should have been the duty of the police to intervene in order to settle it in such a way as to ensure peace between the two parties. It appears that the police, as usual, were hamstrung by the political influence different parties and failed to provide protection to the individuals. If such protection was provided the brutal assassination of the chief monk might have been avoided.

Following the assassination two persons were arrested and, as mentioned above, they were killed in an execution style shooting. The killing of persons after arrest, not a new phenomenon in Sri Lanka, has been reported in recent months in several places such as Galle after a horrifying murder where four persons were found dead with similar execution-style injuries. It was also reported that, in fact, the four persons had no connection to the killing in question. At Kahawatte where there had been a large number of mysterious killings, three of the persons who were arrested on suspicion of some of the killings were disposed of after they had obtained bail from court in a similar manner.

It appears that such killings of arrested persons happens particularly where incidents causing public scandal and fear take place and the law enforcement authorities have to create the impression that they are doing something to deal with such crimes. The public dissatisfaction with the police and criticism about their inaction has now led to this kind of dramatic execution, perhaps with the view to prevent the public reacting to such crimes by taking the law into their own hands.

The weakening of the policing system due to political influence has created situations where violence results in the creation of shocking crimes and the breakdown of the police investigative system has placed the police in the situation where they have to deal with severe public dissatisfaction over such events. To appease the public they resort to such execution-style killings.

The basic function of a government is to provide security to the people. When it proves incapable of doing so disputes among people lead to violent clashes and as a result society is gripped with insecurity. In Sri Lanka the failure of the government to maintain the rule of law has now created this bewildering social specter.

During the colonial times a basic legal apparatus was created and that legal apparatus provided basic security to the people with the ability of the law enforcement agencies to control crime. What the British did in constructing such a legal framework was to put into effect certain theoretical premises arrived at through the lessons learned from their past experiences. Already in 1651 Thomas Hobbes writing his highly acclaimed book, Leviathan explained the reason for the origin of government on the basis of the peoples need for self preservation which is achieved through the transfer of power to a government to ensure the protection of all. From then on a basic theoretical construct developed about the state’s role in protection and how societies can collapse into anarchy when the states fails to carry out this role.

It is the signs of anarchy that are witnessed in Sri Lanka today as a result of the government’s abandonment of the maintenance of the basic public institutions which are necessary for social stability. In 2001 the Sri Lankan Parliament unanimously recognised that such a situation of social instability was developing in Sri Lanka due to the operation of the 1978 Constitution. The parliament proposed the 17^th Amendment to the Constitution whereby several measures were proposed to at least, partially deal with this problem. The government of Mahinda Rajapaksa, through the 18^th Amendment abandoned these measures and did not create any alternative to strengthen the basic public institutions such as the police.

This basic disregard for the maintenance of the public institutions that sustain the law and thereby create social stability was again manifest by the way in which the Chief Justice, Shirani Bandaranayke was removed and a new CJ was appointed. The entire operation was done with shocking disregard for the established legal premises.

The result of all this is the multiple forms of insecurity as manifested in the murder of the chief monk and the execution style assassination of the two men. The rapid plunge into a situation of anarchy is manifested through many such incidents that take place routinely in Sri Lanka.

Girl raped by a powerful government member commits suicide

Thursday, 07 February 2013 
The 14 year old girl who was raped by the UPFA Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman of Akuressa, Saruwa Liyanage Sunil had committed suicide by consuming poison on December 27th.

The 48 year old Chairman of the Akuressa Pradehsiya Sabha, Saruwa Liyanage Sunil had raped the 14 year old girl in a rest house owned by him in the Akuressa Town between May 23, 2012 and May 30, 2012.

Liyanage Sunil was arrested by the Matara Women and Children’s Bureau on July 4, 2012 for raping an under aged child.

Although the governing party announced that the Chairman’s party membership would be cancelled following the incident, he was released on bail and resumed work as the Chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabha on September 12, 2012. The Chairman resumed work at the Pradeshiya Sabha with the blessings of the Proud Father of the nation who is trying to make the country the Wonder of Asia.

The Chairman then launched his second operation of threatening the child and her father to drop the legal case against him. The girl’s father was a war hero, but everyone around them kept silent due to the fear of challenging royalty. Fearing for their lives, the father and daughter left the Southern province and shifted to the Western Province for their safety.

The girl’s mother had lost her life in the 2004 tsunami. Therefore, the girl’s father had taken her and returned to the Southern Province to conduct the religious rituals in memory of their loved on December 26th.

After they had returned to their home in the South, the child had consumed poison and committed suicide due to the continuous threats by the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman and the social pressures.

Unable to face the loss of his wife and daughter, the war hero who is now living in fear of his life has not reported to work as well.

Meanwhile, various campaigns have been organized in favour of Sunil by hired persons.

We have attached a video of one such campaign held in favour of Sunil in Akuressa.

It is now up to the readers to decide whether the child had committed suicide or was killed to stop the court proceedings against Sunil.

We would like to note that all those who have participated in the campaign in favour of Sunil are responsible for the child’s death.

A Buddhist Monk Who Abused A Female Govt Officer Is Being Protected By Political Influence

By Colombo Telegraph -February 7, 2013 

“Send a letter to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about Sujani Weerakkodi case requesting an immediate investigation into the allegations of violence against women and refusing justice for the victim by a religious priest and state officers and the prosecution of those proven to be responsible under the criminal law of the country for misusing powers of a state.” urges the Asian Human Rights Commission.

Issuing a Urgent Appeal AHRC says its has received information that Ms. Sujani Weerakkodi, a government employee working as a Science and Technology Officer was verbally abused and physically assaulted by a senior Buddhist monk at her offices on 22 January. Her immediate superior and the police refused to take action against the monk due to his political influence and the victim was later abused at both the Gampola and Kandy hospitals.

We publish below the statement in full;

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that Ms. Sujani Weerakkodi, a government employee working as a Science and Technology Officer was verbally abused and physically assaulted by a senior Buddhist monk at her offices on 22 January. Her immediate superior and the police refused to take action against the monk due to his political influence and the victim was later abused at both the Gampola and Kandy hospitals. Furthermore the doctors and nurses tried to portray her as being mentally unbalanced due to the monk’s interference.

This is the second case of a Buddhist monk abusing women and then hiding behind his authority within two weeks and it speaks ill of the government of Sri Lanka in that it allows such incidents to happen without offering redress to the victims.

This case is yet another illustration of the exceptional collapse of the rule of law in the country.

CASE NARRATIVE:                                  Read More   

UNP too calls for probe on Matale mass grave

                                                      

By Dasun Edirisinghe-February 7, 2013, 

In the wake of JVP demanding a comprehensive investigation into the Matale mass grave, which has revealed 140 skulls and skeletal remains so far, the UNP too yesterday said it was the responsibility of the government to conduct an investigation into it.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told The Island that the JVP could point the finger at the then UNP government for mass killings during the 1987 – 89 period, but it had not been proved so far that the then UNP government conducted those killings.

"The JVP’s style is to sling mud at others, while white washing their own deeds of the past," he said.

Attanayake said that however it was yet to be confirmed that the skulls and skeletal remains belonged to the 1987 – 89 period.

The JVP said that it was a mass grave used to bury the bodies of their members killed after being tortured by illegal death squads sponsored by the then UNP government.

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that so far 140 skeletal remains and skulls had been unearthed and the experts involved in the excavation believe there were remains of at least 200 more people.

He said that the Matale mass grave was the largest mass grave in Sri Lanka’s history and it belonged to the 1987-89 period, according to experts.

Experts told The Island that the human skeletal remains excavated from a mass grave near the Matale Hospital had been preliminarily dated to 1987-89 period, when over 60,000 insurgents perished in extra judicial killings, by the then government sponsored death squads, during the second JVP uprising.

The preliminary date has been given on the basis of bone colouration and typological analysis on the personal items, including some rings found on 78 human skulls and skeletal remains of 79 persons, a senior analyst who declined to be named told The Island two weeks ago.

Since then the balance remains had been unearthed.

However, the report on the findings would be released by the Judiciary Medical Officer soon.