| US violating natural justice |
By Chrishanthi Christopher and Lashane Cooray
2013-03-10
Sri Lanka on Sunday, accused the US of violating the laws of natural justice in regard to the proceedings at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva.
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), Commissioner, Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa, accused the US, which has drafted a resolution against Sri Lanka, of trying to be the judge of their own cause, by not backing down and letting the other nations vote on the resolution. “They are violating the laws of natural justice in this very biased situation,” he said.
Dr. Mahanamahewa questioning the inaction of the USA when it came to interfering in matters pertaining to countries other than Sri Lanka asked “Why not pass resolutions against Israel or numerous other countries with such issues?”
When asked about the recent police action, where several bus loads of civilians from Vavuniya, were stopped from coming Colombo to hand over an entreaty to the United Nations (UN) office, and the statement from the US Embassy in Sri Lanka on the government action, Dr. Mahanamahewa said, “If the 1966 Civil and Political Rights Convention is to be considered, the concepts of freedom of expression and association were clearly explained. Any person has a democratic right for expressing himself, but this is not an unlimited, unrestricted right, unlike the right to life and the right to exemption from torture. All other rights are restricted to a certain degree by international laws, a country’s economy and security.”
He questioned the urgency for such protests in the country, especially at such a crucial time for Sri Lanka. “Efforts are being made to tarnish the country’s reputation in Geneva. Why has this specific time period been chosen for protest actions?” he asked, adding, “Sri Lanka should follow National Policy when dealing with such issues, and not heed the whims of other countries.”
Meanwhile, a UN Spokesman based in New York has stated that the protest group did not have to specifically visit Colombo to convey a message to the UN.
However, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, E. Sarawanabawan, while welcoming the UN concern and its comment that the protestors need not go to Colombo to handover complaints, said the aim of the protest was not only reaching out to the international community, but also to the people in Colombo and the South. He said the Sinhala media is ignorant of what is happening in the North.
“The Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, says there are no missing people in the North to the Sinhala media and they believe it,” he said, explaining that when the protesters go to Colombo and hold placards and are photographed, there is coverage and the whole island knows what is happening in the North. “There is an advantage in going to Colombo to protest,” he reiterated.
Confirming that the letter to the United Nations has already been delivered, he also said that he trusted the Government Agent Vavuniya, Bandula Harischandra, would have handed over the letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. (Ceylon Today Online)
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Peace for the World
First democratic leader of Justice the Godfather of the Sri Lankan Tamil Struggle: Honourable Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sunday, March 10, 2013
| US resolutions presented before advisory Committee: MaRa hostile to Indian stance – only 4 countries speak for SL |
  (Lanka-e-News-09.March.11.30PM) The resolutions against SL’s human rights violations proposed by America at the UN general assembly were presented before the Geneva advisory committee sessions on the 8th. The draft of this resolution was discussed provision by provision at the Geneva conference Building Hall 21 from 3.00 p m to 5.00 p m.What was special about this resolution was the appointment of special independent international monitors to probe into the human rights violations in SL. The report they prepare after arriving in SL shall be submitted in September and at the next Geneva assembly. If the special representatives don’t receive the support of SL , the report of their’s without SL co operation shall be accepted by the Council. The resolution was discussed provision by provision yesterday, while SL MaRa Govt. representative Ravinatha Ariyasinghe said , SL will not be making any announcement on this. This was going beyond what stance India had communicated to SL. What India told SL was , without going for a vote , jointly amend the clauses that impinge on the sovereignty of the country. Yet , the instructions given by despotic MaRa to the SL representative was not to subscribe to any view at the discussions. Among the diplomatic circles , it was the view that this was the biggest mistake the MaRa Govt. made . Pakistan which spoke in support of SL said , all the provisions shall be withdrawn. Apart from Pakistan , the only countries that spoke on behalf of SL were Russia , China and Cuba. Thailand , Indonesia and Iran followed a lukewarm attitude policy towards SL. Europe , America , Latin America and African countries took an antagonistic stance against SL. They took the view that the resolution shall be adopted irrespective of the amendments to the provisions. The US representative who spoke yesterday regretted that though the resolution was discussed with SL at the highest levels , the SL MaRa Government abandoned the discussions mid way. Hence, the resolution sans amendments shall be presented next week before the general assembly , and a vote is to be taken on it. It is indicated that only 5 to 6 votes will be in favor of the SL MaRa Government and about 30 votes will be against it. US Draft resolution as follows Lanka e news special reporter from Geneva |
Govt. has agreed to the US-led resolution: JVP  SUNDAY, 10 MARCH 2013
The Government appears to have agreed to the United States-sponsored resolution to be presented at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions and had sent a delegation to the US to discuss ways of implementing its recommendations, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) charged today.
JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the subservient manner in which the Government was handling this year’s resolution on Sri Lanka clearly showed its mindset. He recalled that there were several government-sponsored street protests when such a resolution was presented at the UNHCR sessions last year but so far there had been no such protests this year even though this resolution was more strongly worded. (YP) |
No negotiations on US resolution: Aryasinha
March 9, 2013, 7:44 pm
Sri Lanka will not negotiate with the US on the text of the forthcoming US resolution before the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha on Friday told the US Ambassador for Human Rights, Eileen Donahoe.
"I conveyed to Ambassador Donahoe, that GOSL rejects entirely the premise on which this resolution is based, and as has been its consistent position, does not intend negotiating with the US on the text," Aryasinha said intervening at a meeting called by the US to discuss its draft resolution on "Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka."
This meeting was chaired by Donahoe and many member and observer states of UNHRC participated in the discussion. A number of NGOs were also present at the event.
"GOSL does not recognize resolution 19/2 and maintains its consistent position that, through resolutions of this nature, what is being perpetuated is a politicized process in a manner which is unfair, biased, unjust, and contrary to the principles of cooperation, genuine dialogue and the founding principles of universality, impartiality non selectivity, that should guide all member states in facilitating the method of engagement and the mandate of the Council," Aryasinha said.
He said that he was participating the Friday’s meeting as he did not wish to dismiss the interest taken in Sri Lanka by member and observer states, representatives of international organizations and civil society, irrespective of whether such interest is justified or not.
"GOSL always has, and continues to remain engaged with all parties seeking a respectful and constructive dialogue on how to move the process of reconciliation in Sri Lanka forward. We hope this spirit of engagement will be reciprocated, and that member and observer states of the HRC will view developments in Sri Lanka with an open mind," he said.
LTTE ropes in more British MPs
Campaign for war crimes probe: No Fire Zone screened in UK parliament
Sunday, 10 March 2013
Amidst Sri Lanka’s protests against the screening of No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka at the ongoing United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva, the British government allowed the screening of the controversial documentary produced by the UK media outfit Channel 4 News in the British Parliament.
The screening took place in the Committee Room 14 of the British Parliament on Feb. 27 with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and two cabinet ministers, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Teresa Villiers and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey, representing the Liberal Democrats.
The conference coincided with the third anniversary of the UK-based Global Tamil Forum (GTF).
GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran told The Island yesterday
that there had been a significant shift in the British coalition government policy towards Sri Lanka with Liberal Democrats calling for an international war crime investigation.
Responding to a query, Surendiran said that the Opposition and Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband, too, had called for an international independent investigation. The GTF spokesman vowed to continue their campaign until the international community hauled Sri Lanka’s political and military leaders responsible up before a war crimes tribunal.
Although British PM David Cameroon hadn’t been present, the Conservative Party leader had been represented by the most senior party member Grant Shapps, MP, Surendiran said, while appreciating the Premier issuing a comprehensive statement for the conference brochure. Shapps addressed the gathering.
Commenting on ongoing GTF efforts to prevent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) being held in Sri Lanka in November this year, Surendiran said that the Labour Party as well as former Foreign Secretary David Miliband had called for change of venue. They alleged the GoSL had failed to adhere to Commonwealth principle. Surendiran said that the position taken by the Labour Party would bolster GTF’s efforts to have an international war crimes probe launched against Sri Lanka.
Sandya Ekneligoda, wife of missing media personality Prageeth couldn’t attend the conference due to late application for visa though she was scheduled to address the gathering.
Former Norwegian Minister in charge of Sri Lanka’s peace process Erik Solheim reiterated that reconciliation wouldn’t be reality as long as the government failed to address accountability issues.
Surendiran said that the Tamil Diaspora greatly appreciated the presence of top leaders of Labour, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.
Senior Foreign Minister Baroness Warsi stressed that the government hadn’t taken a decision on attending CHOGM in Sri Lanka.
TNA was represented by five senior members including TNA leader MR Sampanthan and M. A. Sumanthiran.
Among the British MPs present were Siobhain McDonagh, Robert Halfon, Lee Scott, Kerry McCarthy, Douglas Alexander, Simon Huges and Keith Vaz.
The Island on 28 Feb 2013 & The Royal Commonwealth Society Chairman's and The Secretary General of CIVICUS's Speeches at the recent GTF Conference
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Vote against Sri Lanka, Malaysia told
Suaram wants Malaysia to vote for a UN Human Rights Council resolution against Sri Lanka
PETALING JAYA: Suaram is pushing for Malaysia to vote in favour of a resolution against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting because of worsening human rights conditions and attacks on mosques.
The meeting will take place in Geneva on March 22
“Malaysia can’t turn a blind eye to this. We have a vote at the UN Human Rights Council and we must vote in favour of a resolution against Sri Lanka,” said Suaram chairman K. Arumugam in a press statement today.
The Sri Lanka Army had been involved in a civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) since 1983 until 2009 when the LTTE was defeated. Over 100,000 civilians mostly from the Tamil ethnic minority died during the conflict. Civilians still live in camps even though a reconciliation plan was announced by the government.
UN Human Rights Council’s latest report last month stated that Sri Lanka has a poor record in reconciliation efforts, accountability and ongoing human rights violations.
Arumugam also said that Malaysia should vote for the resolution against Sri Lanka due to increasing attacks on mosques .
“After the Tamils, the Muslims are now the new targets of attack in Sri Lanka. Malaysia can’t be seen to support a country where Muslims are facing such a situation,” said Arumugam.
Since the UN resolution last year there have been at least eight attacks on mosques and countless protests organised by Buddhist organisations.
Malaysia, Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, chose to abstain from voting on a resolution against Sri Lanka last year despite protests held by Indians in Malaysia in support of the resolution.
Sunday
, 10 March 2013
A protest is organized at the UN premises located in
Geneva city against the Eelam Tamils deport to Sri Lanka by rejecting their
refugee demands in Switzerland city.
This protest would be held tomorrow Monday
from morning until evening.
The youths who had been rejected asylum had
organized this event and it is expected that the representatives visited Geneva
to attend the UN Human Rights Council’s 22nd sessions too would participate in
this protest.
In view of this protest, an appeal had been
handed over to UN Human Rights Commissioner Nawaneethampillai.
Thambipillai Namasivayam, Secretary of Swiss
Tamil Assembly will make arrangements to handover the said supplication to Human
Rights Council Civil Defense unit Director Madam Yun Rey.
The war between the Sri Lanka government forces
and liberation tigers came to an end in year 2009, May month, and Switzerland
considers that the clash has come to an end in the country, is rejecting the
asylum seekers applications and measures are taken to expel them.
Information given as evidence is not at all
considered and applications are rejected is much hurtful was notified by those
seeking asylum.
The Court of appeal have ignored their appeals,
hence they have decided to take this issue to the international level.
Meanwhile the recently published 140 pages
report by Human Rights Watch points out that those sent back to Sri Lanka
rejecting their request for asylum are harassed sexually and in other
ways.
Conflict has come to an end in Sri Lanka but
Tamils are discriminated, threats are faced by military, abductions, many
atrocities, including rape and sexual are targeted, which is debated in
international courts, but without considering this, the Switzerland government
is showing much concern in deporting the Tamils.
The federalism government has notified this
from the beginning of year 2011. The government has decided to deport
approximately 3000 Tamils.
Bangladesh overtakes Sri Lanka as India’s largest trading partner in South Asia
Is New Delhi disillusioned with Colombo?
March 9, 2013, 5:51 pm
By S Venkat NarayanOur Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, March 9:
Bangladesh has overtaken Sri Lanka as India’s largest trading partner in South Asia. Analysts say tariff issues and India’s growing tensions with Sri Lanka over the the Tamil question are hurting the commercial relationship between the two countries. India’s better ties with Bangladesh have seen an increase in agricultural exports to and textile imports from that country. New Delhi has even allowed concessional tariff rates on textile products from Bangladesh.
"There has been a fair amount of surge in agricultural commodity exports to Bangladesh. Their exports have also increased due to concessions given on textiles. Total trade volumes will be in excess of $5 billion (around INR 273.50 billion) in the current financial year," said a Commerce Ministry official.
Between April (2012) and January (2013) in the current fiscal year, India’s trade with Bangladesh rose to $4.5 billion from $3.3 billion in the year earlier. During the same period, India’s trade with Sri Lanka fell to $3.5 billion from $4.2 billion.
The commerce ministry official attributed the drastic fall in trade with Sri Lanka to the increase in customs duty by the island nation on automobiles imported from India, starting April last year. Sri Lanka increased the import duty on cars from 120-291% to 200-350%; from 51-61% to 100% on three-wheelers; and from 61% to 100% on scooters and motorcycles.
Sri Lanka has also substantially increased the excise duty on automobiles. As a result, several Indian auto makers, including Bajaj Auto Ltd and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, for which Sri Lanka is an important export market, have taken a hit.
"Because automobile exports to Sri Lanka is a high-value item, that one single measure has meant exports to the country have suffered," the commerce ministry official added. In April-December of the current fiscal year, India’s automobile exports to Sri Lanka were $357 million as against $1 billion in 2011-12.
The relationship between India and Sri Lanka has been testy in recent times over the issue of the treatment of Sri Lankan Tamils and also after some fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Coast Guard for allegedly straying across the maritime boundary. India has been pushing Sri Lanka to devolve more political rights to the minority Tamils to ensure their integration into the mainstream—something Sri Lanka has been resisting.
A vote at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on a resolution censuring the Sri Lankan government on its human rights record regarding the treatment of Tamils is expected later this month. Last year, India had voted in favour of such a resolution. This has soured relations with Sri Lanka. India’s approximately 62 million Tamils share strong cultural links with Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority.
Sri Lanka’s Tamils and majority Sinhalese have a troubled relationship mainly owing to the three-decade-old civil war that ended in May 2009. Mint, a local business daily, quoted a second government official, who also did not want to be identified, as saying that, apart from political reasons and higher tariffs, the dip in India’s exports to Sri Lanka was caused by the latter’s desire to have more companies "set up manufacturing units in the country."
Still, the strained relationship between the two countries is not making it any easier, he added. "To move to the next phase of economic ties with Sri Lanka is going to be difficult," the official said. "There is no bonhomie between India and Sri Lanka that they would want to push trade relations to the next level."
Referring to Bangladesh, the government official said there is no rancour in relations. There are three outstanding issues between the two countries that need resolution: India ratifying the additional protocol to the 1974 land boundary pact; reaching an agreement on the sharing of the waters of the river Teesta; and the killing of people by the border guards of the two countries because of the un-demarcated front line.
"But look at the temperature (of political relations between the two countries)," the second official said, pointing to the increase in trade as a natural consequence of a number of steps taken by the Indian government, including allowing duty-free access of textiles, the opening of border haats (markets), improved banking facilities and the opening of transport links.
Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai has pointed out that the choice of Bangladesh as the first country President Pranab Mukherjee visited after taking office reflects the importance India attaches to ties with that country.
"Bangladesh itself is a fast-growing economy. They have recorded something like 6% growth consistently. It is a large market, 150 million, with a growing middle class. So Bangladesh itself, apart from the export opportunities or the opportunities of access to India, presents a number of opportunities," Mathai said.
India is looking for better ties with Bangladesh as a means to develop its insurgency-riven North-East. Growth in the region should lead to jobs for the young, making it difficult for insurgent outfits to recruit disillusioned and jobless young people.
The second government official said that later this year, India will start exporting 500 megawatts (MW) of power to Bangladesh. While 250MW will be given at concessional rates, the rest will be at market rates, he added.
On the Teesta, the official said Bangladesh is receiving 100% water without any cuts as there is no barrage on the river. "The Teesta pact will be symbolic" rather than anything else, which is also important, the person said.
C Uday Bhaskar, an analyst with the South Asia Monitor think tank in New Delhi, said India would like to engage with Bangladesh irrespective of who is in power. "But (Prime Minister) Sheikh Hasina has been more receptive to India’s overtures, so it’s easier to realize India’s objectives," he said.
Another expert said that India’s emphasis on Bangladesh and Pakistan may have come at the cost of its relationship with Sri Lanka. "In the process, we have actually neglected Sri Lanka. The negotiations for a services agreement broke down after 13 rounds of negotiations. We have not been able to pick it up," said Dr Nisha Taneja, a professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER).
Taneja said India should again start focusing on Sri Lanka and reduce its sensitive list with that country, even if it doesn’t want to restart the services negotiations.
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The Kandy Asgiriya Chapter has put the Bodu Bala Sena monks on notice saying they will take action if there are complaints lodged against them.
Sunday, 10 March 2013
Mirror) – The Buddhist Leadership Academy of the Bodhu Bala Sena was declared open yesterday (09) by the Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Defense Mr. Gotabaya Rajapakse. This Academy was constructed by The German National Michael Kurstwayer and gifted to the Nedimala Buddhist Cultural Center. The ‘Meth Sevana’ building complex is located in Galle, Ranchawala, Pilana.
The ‘Meth Sevana’ Education and Cultural Center has been transformed into the Buddhist Leadership Academy.
According to the Bodu Bala Sena this Academy has been established to propagate leadership qualities in Bhikkus, Buddhist leaders and Buddhist activist youth.
The Nedimala Buddhist Center will run the Buddhist Academy.
The Bodu Bala Sena says they will transform this into a university in the future.
Mr. Gotabaya Rajapakse who addressed the ceremony said that although many had asked him not to participate on this occasion, he did so after realizing its timely importance.
'These Buddhist Clergy who are engaged in a nationally important task should not be feared or doubted by anyone' he said. .
| Heard of kudu Duminda’s remand life of super luxury and pleasure ?– Paba massages – court only messages | ||||
 (Lanka-e-News-10.March.2013, 8.30PM) Can a suspect who had been placed in remand custody by the court which is considered as sacrosanct and independent be allowed to have his private security close to him ? Can he have outside assistants with him ? Can he get a ‘beauty quean’ close to him for his personal pleasure ?These perturbing questions have been raised in regard to the murder suspect Duminda De Silva alias ‘kudu Duminda ‘ involved in the murder of Baratha Lakshman who is in remand custody at Nawaloka hospital ,but enjoying all the comforts including those mentioned in the foregoing paragraph . Vithana the additional magistrate of the Magistrate court , Colombo remanded this suspect in the Baratha Lakshman murder on the 5th of March until the 14th. This suspect who is feigning illness is now at the Nawaloka hospital in the luxury ward enjoying every super luxurious comfort while being provided security by R S D Kulatunge the new chief of the illegally appointed Prison security intelligence unit who has assigned prison officers for kudu Duminda’s security. In addition, another private armed group had also been detailed for the security of Duminda. This group who are in plainclothes are armed with Buvuninge automatic pistols. Next to the prison officers , it is this group which provides security . This is an absolutely blatant and brazen violation of the court order. According to the law, a remand prisoner can only be secured by the prison officers . Moreover , a remand prisoner cannot be allowed to be met by every person who wishes to see him. The prison ‘visiting ’ regulations govern them. However , pertaining to Duminda Silva, this regulation does not operate. This was clearly illustrated a few days ago when some lady had visited the Nawaloka hospital to meet him. When the prison officers questioned her , she had taken a call to the defense secretary of SL , Gotabaya, and given the phone to the officers asking them to listen to Gota’s reply. Poor prison officers were furiously abused in foul language by the defense secretary , the one and only, high and mighty, in SL . ‘ Haven’t I told you , not to ask any questions. Send her to him’, he had barked. It was later discovered , she is the sister of Duminda Silva. When the former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka who led the country to victory in the war was in hospital , a different set of rules were applied to harass him. Even the meals brought to him by his wife was compulsorily subjected to examination by the prison officers. Besides , except his wife none else was permitted to meet Fonseka. On the contrary , in the case of kudu Duminda Silva who is leading the country into defeat with kudu deals, the laws have been changed to give him the best of luxuries and pleasure while in custody. The laws of the country are in petrifaction and putrefaction. Can a remand prisoner have an outside assistant close to him ? When Duminda Silva was charged in connection with child rape he was exonerated of the charges by the Attorney general (AG) at that time based on nefarious reasons which were not made known. It is the same AG who is elevated now to the position of chief justice better known as the thief justice of SL.
In these circumstances when such a thief justice is the King of the injustice ring , can any law abiding citizen expect any better justice under this CJ than this break down of it ? It is natural therefore for the courts to be turned into ‘parana coats’ , and justice made a mockery under this moth eaten regime and this thief justice appointed by it unlawfully.
The actual situation of kudu Duminda became known when a notorious political harlot Paba visited him in hospital with two youths who are television models . It will not be surprising if they had come to give a body massage to kudu Duminda.
In these circumstances , it is justifiable if the law abiding citizens of the country who are possessed with great fear and anguish witnessing the demolition of laws blatantly and the devastation of justice right before their eyes call (which has already begun) the Magistrate Sandun Vitharne who gave these judicial orders as an effeminate castrated eunuch .
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Gotabhaya warns of Western Trojan horses through special projects
USD one million offered for two NGOs
March 10, 2013, 10:08 pm
By Shamindra Ferdinando-March 10, 2013,
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa alleged that large scale foreign funding of NGOs operating in Sri Lanka would be inimical to ongoing post-war national reconciliation efforts hence, such projects should be resisted.
The government was seriously concerned about a fresh NGO onslaught in the wake of Western powers working overtime to destabilize the country, he said. Obviously, the ongoing 22nd sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva were a rallying point for anti-Sri Lankan elements, an irate Rajapaksa told The Island yesterday.
The Defence Secretary was responding to a US State Department decision to fund two special projects, to the tune of USD 500,000 each, one for increasing support and the other for safety of journalists and facilitating post-war reconciliation in the country.
The US announcement was made on Thursday amidst a simmering dispute between the two countries over the US moving a second resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC sessions.
Those already propagating anti-Sri Lanka sentiments would now be in the fray for fresh funds, the Defence Secretary alleged. One million US dollars would be a powerful inducement for NGOs to go all out against Sri Lanka, the Defence Secretary said. The latest US initiative could be a long term project in accordance with their overall objectives detrimental to Sri Lanka, the he said.
Responding to a query, the Defence Secretary recalled alleged abuse of foreign funds received by some Sri Lankan journalists during the war. The revelation forced one of them to leave the country, the official said, adding that the unprecedented fraud wouldn’t have come to light if not for the recipients of donor funds fighting among themselves. The Defence Secretary said that the government was closely watching the situation. Asked whether the government opposed US funding of special projects here, the Rajapaksa alleged that the NGO community was taking foreign donors for a ride.
The war veteran urged the donors to estimate the total amount of funds given to NGOs since the signing of the Norwegian-arranged Ceasefire Agreement in Feb 2002. He called for proper examination of NGO funding. "In fact, the liberation of the entire Vanni region in May 2009 exposed those who had been receiving funds for various projects in LTTE-held areas. Troops didn’t come across any newly built facilities, not even a playground in the Vanni," the Defence Secretary said.
He said that three major NGOs received over Rs. 600 million for projects for a three-year period beginning 2008. It was just a fraction of the money received by local NGOs since 2002, he said, adding that a recent Norwegian report, which dealt with their peace efforts here, revealed the massive funding operation.
The decision to provide USS 01 million for two special projects should be examined in the backdrop of recent USAID statement that the total amount of US funding for non-state sector for this year amounted to $ 13 mn, the official said.
Commenting on funding for projects to promote national reconciliation, the Defence Secretary pointed out that the LTTE had been the primary obstacle to peace. Successive governments went out of their way to reach an understanding with the LTTE, he said, recalling President Mahinda Rajapaksa, too, sending delegations abroad for talks with the LTTE in early 2006. The Defence Secretary said that national reconciliation couldn’t be achieved by funding those propagating lies against the country.
He said that it would be interesting to know whether any NGOs operating in other conflict zones received funding for similar projects.
20000 new houses to be built ... in the South
Tamil Guardian 09 March 2013
| The Ministry of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities of Sri Lanka announced that 20000 new houses were under construction to aid low income families. |
The new construction phase is part of the 'Colombo city revival programme' which looks to construct 40,117 houses by the end of this year.
The Ministry's active steps to amend living standards in the capital come as disparities in the North-East remain unchanged.
US criticises “rushed resettlement” of IDPs
| Tamil Guardian 18 October 2012 |
The US Embassy in Colombo has expressed concern over Sri Lanka’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) resettlement programme.
A press release by the embassy welcomed the government’s speedy resettlement of a large number of IDPs, but noted concern about resettlement on land “without adequate shelter, water and sanitation”.
“The United States welcomes the work by the Government of Sri Lanka to quickly resettle the large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) following the 26-year conflict." said the press release.
"However, we remain concerned about the rushed resettlement of the final IDPs to close the Menik Farm camp. Many of the most vulnerable families of the war-affected population in the North have been placed on land hastily cleared without adequate shelter, water and sanitation, or provisions to continue their livelihoods.
"Meanwhile, many long term IDPs remain unable to return home or access basic services from the Government of Sri Lanka.”
US Embassy Press Release on IDPs
Tamil Guardian 18 October 2012
U.S. Embassy Provides Further Support to Internally Displaced Persons
October 18, 2012, Colombo: The U.S. Government recently awarded over $3million to three organizations supporting resettling communities in the Mullaitivu and Killinochchi districts. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)'s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance awarded funding toZOA Refugee Care, Sewalanka, and Practical Action to provide the basic needs that many Sri Lankans urgently require. The support will provide help to nearly 50,000 Sri Lankans with basic services such as adequate shelter, access to potable water and proper sanitation, and food security. The programs will also put these individuals on the road to a sustainable future, with support to start generating needed income, and connect farmers and fishermen with markets.
The United States welcomes the work by the Government of Sri Lanka to quickly resettle the large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) following the 26-year conflict. However, we remain concerned about the rushed resettlement of the final IDPs to close the Menik Farm camp. Many of the most vulnerable families of the war-affected population in the North have been placed on land hastily cleared without adequate shelter, water and sanitation, or provisions to continue their livelihoods. Meanwhile, many long term IDPs remain unable to return home or access basic services from the Government of Sri Lanka. Through its assistance, the United States is helping resettled people move towards a better future and the U.S. Embassy looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Sri Lanka provide the services and care Sri Lankans need.
Giving bicycles and taking land: New Delhi’s ‘rehabilitation’ policy on Eezham Tamils
[TamilNet, Saturday, 09 March 2013, 00:31 GMT]
India donates 10,000 bicycles to assist the rehabilitation of the war displaced in the North, said The Hindu on Thursday, citing the Indian High Commission in Colombo. The highlight was timed for protests in Tamil Nadu and across the world over the Indo-US failure in tabling a just resolution on Sri Lanka at Geneva. New Delhi’s adamant backing to the ‘friendly’ Sinhala State and military in occupying and colonising the lands of the nation of Eezham Tamils is well known. While there are speculations that the Indian policy aims at indirectly grabbing land in the island through strategic partnership with the Sinhala State and by accepting the structural genocide it commits on Tamils, an alternative Indian media Kafila on Wednesday revealed how Indian land grab enslaving peoples takes place in Africa with the complicity of governments there. Both India and China are accused of being part of the global land grabbing club and many African governments are complicit in this wholesale plunder of their land, said the Kafila writer, Sputnik Kilambi, adding that India’s role in the land take-over underway in Africa raises serious questions about the direction of south-south relations.
India now ranks third in the amount of land grabbed from other countries. It is the irony of a former British colony turning into a neo-coloniser, the Kafila writer cited environmental journalist Darrel De Monte.
Four years earlier, on 4th May 2009, Hindustan Times carried a feature on India’s race for land in Africa.
“After years of competing for overseas oil and mines to fuel their still-growing economies, India and China are silently scouring the world for their next great need: farmland to grow food. The destination: Africa,” said Hindustan Times, adding that Indian investment in land in Ethiopia would reach $ 4 billion this year.
Unlike China, India need not look to farmland elsewhere to meet that demand, because it can fill the gap by increasing farm productivity. Still, the Indian government and several companies have intensified the chase for farmland abroad. Even farmers from Andhra Pradesh have gone and invested in land in Kenya, Hindustan Times cited a government official.
The Kafila writer says, water scarcity at home and global fears of a looming water and food crisis are among the reasons India has joined the club of land predators.
More than 80 Indian companies have acquired immense swathes of arable land in Ethiopia, Madagascar, Kenya, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Mozambique to grow food crops as well as sugarcane and palm oil, both raw-stock for biofuel, Sputnik Kilambi said.
She cited Anuradha Mittal of the Oakland Institute saying, “The takeover of peoples’ land and water by corporations – even if they are from the global south – is a new form of colonisation.”
The Kafila article cited two South Indian corporates in the fray, one led by Bangalore based Ramakrishna Karuturi that targets a million hectares in Africa and the other led by Chennai-based C. Sivasankaran that already has 700,000 hectares.
A hectare is 10,000 sq. metres, which is about 2.5 acres.
Karuturi asked for only 100,000 hectares of land at Gambela on the Ethiopia–South Sudan border, but Ethiopian government insisted that take 300,000 ha, at the peanuts rate of US $ 1.5 per ha.
According to Human Rights Watch, 75,000 people were displaced, and the Ethiopian army is accused of arbitrary arrest, rape and torture of scores of residents in Gambela to make way for large-scale commercial farming.
Thousands of local Anuak farmers are being forced to become lowly-paid wage labourers on land that belonged to their ancestors.
India’s actual actions on the ground have rarely borne scrutiny in the mainstream press, the Kafila article said, warning that Land is the resource that is most likely to spark conflict in any country where the majority of the population depends on farming for their livelihood, as is the case in most of Africa
Why the New Delhi Establishment is not recognizing the territoriality of the nation of Eezham Tamils in the island despite the genocide and annihilation they face, and why there is overt and covert support to Rajapaksa regime from several quarters in India – from the Sonia Congress to leaders in the BJP, BJD, and even the CPI-M; from an articulating section of media corporates operating from Chennai to ‘sane’ historians in New Delhi and Thirukku’ral reciting missile scientists of Rameswaram, and from the covert operations of individuals running foundations for corporates to mainstream political parties becoming corporate houses in Tamil Nadu – have to be understood through the larger perspective, say political observers in Tamil Nadu.
But there is a question that puzzles many. Why genocide and annihilation of the nation of Eezham Tamils when most of them would not have opposed to India’s interests of mutual benefit in their land?
For that the political observers say, Tamils, despite their number and spread across the world, don’t have a State and with the calculated annihilation of the LTTE don’t have a military and land to give. Tamils and the noises they make could be ignored and disposed of, but not the Sinhalese who have a State, 300,000-strong military specialized in genocide and land to extract.
Convincing the Sinhalese that the genocide committed on the Tamil nation would not be disturbed and that they would always need New Delhi to prevent any recurrence of ‘historical invasion of Tamils’, is important to get the whole island for India. Sinhalese who deny the nation and territoriality of Eezham Tamils and gullible Tamil activists who believe the campaign that Tamils could fulfil their aspirations when India ‘economically integrate’ the island, should understand the larger perspectives currently in operation, the observers further said.
Will there be another militant movement, is a question invariably asked by intelligence agencies of both New Delhi and the West, to whom so ever they meet among Eezham Tamils.
Many of the Eezham Tamils, who shudder at the thought of any forces of vested interests making another armed struggle inevitable, wonder at the question coming from the agencies whether the paranoia results from their knowledge that both India and the USA are not going to do anything righteous to Tamils and they would only further the crisis.
Leaping tiger or cowering mouse
Sunday, 10 March 2013
In the almost four years that have passed since the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, the Colombo government has worked relentlessly to consolidate Sinhala dominance over the Tamil speaking regions. During this time, India’s tentative policy of appeasement and meek diplomacy in the hopes of crafting a political solution on the island has, in no uncertain terms, failed dismally. This timid approach has only seen Sri Lanka’s brazen defiance swell, with the state continuing to act audaciously in the face of creeping international pressure, safe in the knowledge that India’s placation will continue. International action on Sri Lanka is however, slowly beginning to mobilise and if India is serious about becoming a globally recognised power, it must take a leading role in reigning in its unruly neighbour. If not, as pressure on Sri Lanka continues to mount, India risks being an ineffectual bystander, side-lined in its own backyard.
India’s diffident approach to Sri Lanka post-2009 has visibly and embarrassingly unravelled in the face of Sri Lanka’s petulant defiance. Hesitancy in pressing Sri Lanka to make any sort of progress towards accountability or a political solution has left Sinhala chauvinism unchecked, allowing it to thrive and run amok. Human rights and rule of law on the island have continued to deteriorate, with sustained attacks on Tamils and a concrete political solution to the ethnic conflict, more elusive than ever.
Despite India’s claim to regional power status, Sri Lanka has been adept at defying it at almost every turn with Sinhala Buddhism retaining its long standing anti-Indian chauvinism and hostility. On the economic front Sri Lanka has worked to marginalise Indian access to the island. The much lauded Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is stalled and Colombo regularly initiates a host of other provocative measures, such as deporting Indian traders. In addition, Indian offers to develop Palali airport, that would have facilitated and enhanced trade and cultural links between the Tamil North-East and South India, have been forthrightly rejected.
Meanwhile, India continues to be politically humiliated in a very public and high profile way. Despite Colombo’s repeated assurances to India on its willingness to share power with the Tamils, President Rajapakse declared in his independence day speech this February that such measures were ‘not practical’ for Sri Lanka. Colombo’s repeated and public defiance of Indian demands, accompanied by the Sri Lankan Navy’s unceasing attacks on Indian fishermen, makes it patently clear that the policy of appeasing Sri Lanka has singularly backfired.
Yet, inexplicably, the placation has continued, with India providing military training to Sri Lankan troops and engaging in war games with the island. This policy has done nothing more than to empower a brazen Sri Lankan state, strengthening ethnic chauvinism on the island. Moreover, Sri Lanka confidently expects continued Indian support on the international front, apparently secure that Delhi’s policy of appeasement will continue indefinitely.
As Sri Lanka attempts to resist steadily rising international pressure, it will doubtless turn to India for support. But it should now be clear that without co-ordinated international efforts to check Sinhala Buddhist chauvinism, India cannot hope to realise any of its objectives on the island. A highly militarised, authoritarian, Sinhala chauvinist state is fundamentally incompatible with Indian interests, and intrinsically unstable, both internally and externally. India must drive action on Sri Lanka and work actively to dismantle the dominance of Sinhala chauvinism. If, however, India continues with its tentative and faltering approach, it risks watching wistfully from the side-lines as important shifts inevitably occur, as was the case in Burma.
In order to realise its global aspirations, India must steer rather than stall assertive action on Sri Lanka. This would demonstrate not only India’s regional capacity, but also signal the fortitude and resolution needed to become an influential player on the global stage. With open ambitions for permanent membership of the Security Council, India can no longer shy away from taking bold determined steps in the international arena. In the words of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha, India must act decisively on the Sri Lanka issue if it is to be a ‘leaping tiger’ rather than a ‘cowering mouse.’
Are Central and State Governments and Intelligence Agencies Conspiring?
Sunday, 10 March 2013
The People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) would like to bring the following developments to the attention of the people of India, particularly the people of Tamil Nadu, and would request them to be watchful of any quirky turns:
[1] The Tamil Nadu police went to the home of a friend yesterday (March 9, 2013) morning and inquired his parents about his activities. The officers asked them if their son had any connections with the Maoists groups from the northern district of Cuddalore.
[2] Dinakaran, a Tamil newspaper, published an unsigned article with undue prominence on Page 5 of its March 9, 2013 edition under the title “Country Bombs Getting Ready in Koodankulam Area.” The story complains that country bombs are being prepared in Idinthakarai and Koothankuzhi villages and the police have not taken any steps to stop this menace. We doubt that some local vested interests may be behind this vitriolic attack on the struggling people to malign our name and popularity and to instigate police action against our peaceful people.
[3] A dubious young man from our area has been sending a Tamil SMS “Vettri allathu veeramaranam (Victory or Valiant Death)” in the name of S. P. Udayakumar to give the impression that we are losing patience and getting desperate with our struggle.
[4] The Madurai Passport Officer has been sending letters to S. P. Udayakumar asking him why his passport cannot be impounded or revoked as there is a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him. It is pertinent to note that the Tirunelveli police have been denying NOC (no objection certificate) to many people in our villages to obtain a passport claiming that they all face criminal charges. However, the Tirunelveli police are issuing NOC to some select people who are recommended by Mr. M. Xavier Francis Besky, a DSP-rank officer hailing from Idinthakarai village. This is done intentionally to divide the cohesive Idinthakarai community that has been leading our struggle.
All these underhanded efforts of the central and state governments and their police and intelligence agencies make us wonder if they are hatching dangerous conspiracies and schemes against the struggling people. All these things show how desperate the above actors have become in dealing with honest, hard-working and peaceful people of this country.
We request our people in all the villages to be vigilant against any intruders coming into our villages and planting explosive devices or leaving such dangerous things around. We would like to assure the fellow citizens of India that we are not a violent or extremist group that is bent to hurt or harm or kill anybody. We are nonviolent sons and daughters of the soil who want to protect the right to life and livelihood of the ordinary people of India, to safeguard the natural resources of this country for our progeny, and to resist the sale of India to the profiteering corporations of the United States, Russia, France and other such imperial countries.
The Struggle Committee
The People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE)
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