China-Sri Lanka Space Cooperation Worries India’s National Security Council

By Colombo Telegraph -March 21, 2013 

Concern is growing in Indian security establishments over increasing Chinese footprints in Sri Lanka’s strategic sectors,the Hindu reports.

According to the Hindu, the National Security Council Secretariat has called an inter-ministerial consultation next week to decide on “possible approaches” to protect “Indian interests” in its neighbourhood.

Rohitha Rajapaksa and engineers of SupremeSAT

The latest to cause alarm are reports ofChinese-Sri Lankan collaboration in the area of space, the newspaper reported.

A Sri Lankan firm, Supreme SAT (Pvt.) Ltd. is likely to launch its first communication satellite with Chinese help in 2015. In mid-2012, the National Security Adviser (NSA) had discussed this issue and the Department of Space was asked to “provide assessment of the security implications” on India due to Sri Lanka’s space programme.

Supreme SAT (Pvt.) Ltd. signed an agreement with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka in May 2012 to launch the telecommunication satellite at a cost of $320 million in partnership with China Great Wall Industry Corporation, a state-owned Chinese company. Subsequently, it was also decided to set up a space academy-cum satellite ground station at Kandy.

The inter-ministerial meeting under the leadership of Deputy NSA on March 25 would discuss the issue threadbare, the Hindu reported. 

Construction work for Vadaliyadaippu flood canal stopped. Reason assignment not carried out according to contract.

The Vadaliyadaippu flood canal construction work has got terminated due to the non-implementation of the agreement made with the divisional council was said by its Chairman A.Jebanesan.

The flood canal located at Vadaliyadaippu in the Waligamam South west region, is not in the state of floods getting flown out  during rainy season, hence the people from the locality were facing immense difficulties. 

Due to this problem, the Jaffna district government agent made arrangements to allocated finance towards this construction activity.

The divisional council was appointed as an organization to implement the relevant work.  Accordingly the work was handed over to a contractor.

The relevant contract was signed with the divisional council, and it was notified that the flood canal construction would be built with three bars but during construction only two was utilized.  

This was made aware by Kumanan, Jifrico,Mahendran, Sivakumar and Gowrikanthan the divisional council members to the divisional council Chairman.

Accordingly divisional council Chairman requested the technical officer to explore the above issue and to submit a report.

Subsequently it was proved that the assignment was not processed according to the agreement made by the Contractor with the council. This cause the divisional council works to get suspended.

Chairman said, concerning this Sandilippai divisional secretariat had been notified.

Thursday , 21 March 2013

UN HRC 22nd Session | Resolution ‘Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka’

UN HRC 22nd Session | Resolution ‘Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka’

21 Mar, 2013

An archive of material around the Resolution titled ‘Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka’ passed at the UN Human Rights Council today.

Final text below, and available as PDF here, and as Word document here.

###

Human Rights Council

Twenty-second session

Agenda item 2

Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the
High Commissioner and the Secretary-General

Austria, Belgium^*, Bulgaria^*, Canada*, Croatia^*, Denmark^*, Estonia, Finland^*, France^*, Georgia^*, Germany, Greece^*, Hungary^*, Iceland^*, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein^*, Lithuania^*, Malta^*, Monaco^*, Montenegro, Norway^*, Poland, Portugal^*, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis^*, Slovakia^*, Slovenia^*, Spain, Sweden^*, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland^*, United States of America: draft resolution

22/… Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka

The Human Rights Council,

Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant instruments,

Bearing in mind General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006,

Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1, on institution-building of the Council, and 5/2, on the code of conduct for special procedures mandate holders, of 18 June 2007,

Recalling also Human Rights Council resolution 19/2 of 22 March 2012 on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka,

Reaffirming that it is the responsibility of each State to ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of its entire population,

Reaffirming also that States must ensure that any measure taken to combat terrorism complies with their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, as applicable,

Welcoming the announcement made by the Government of Sri Lanka that elections to the Provincial Council in the Northern Province will be held in September 2013,

Welcoming and acknowledging the progress made by the Government of Sri Lanka in rebuilding infrastructure, demining, and resettling the majority of internally displaced persons, and noting nonetheless that considerable work lies ahead in the areas of justice, reconciliation and the resumption of livelihoods, and stressing the importance of the full participation of local populations, including representatives of civil society and minorities, in these efforts,

Taking note of the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission of Sri Lanka and its findings and recommendations, and acknowledging its possible contribution to the process of national reconciliation in Sri Lanka,

Taking note also of the national plan of action to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission of the Government of Sri Lanka and its commitments as set forth in response to the findings and recommendations of the Commission,

Noting that the national plan of action does not adequately address all of the findings and constructive recommendations of the Commission,

Recalling the constructive recommendations contained in the Commission’s report, including the need to credibly investigate widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, demilitarize the north of Sri Lanka, implement impartial land dispute resolution mechanisms, re-evaluate detention policies, strengthen formerly independent civil institutions, reach a political settlement on the devolution of power to the provinces, promote and protect the right of freedom of expression for all and enact rule of law reforms,

Noting with concern that the national plan of action and the Commission’s report do not adequately address serious allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,

Expressing concern at the continuing reports of violations of human rights in Sri Lanka, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture and violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, as well as intimidation of and reprisals against human rights defenders, members of civil society and journalists, threats to judicial independence and the rule of law, and discrimination on the basis of religion or belief,

Calling upon the Government of Sri Lanka to fulfil its public commitments, including on the devolution of political authority, which is integral to reconciliation and the full enjoyment of human rights by all members of its population,

Expressing appreciation for the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka in facilitating the visit of a technical mission from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and encouraging the Government to increase its dialogue and cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner,

Noting the call made by the High Commissioner for an independent and credible international investigation into alleged violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,

1.     Welcomes the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on advice and technical assistance for the Government of Sri Lanka on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka[1] and the recommendations and conclusions contained therein, in particular on the establishment of a truth-seeking mechanism as an integral part of a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to transitional justice;

2.     Encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations made in the report of the Office of the High Commissioner, and also calls upon the Government to conduct an independent and credible investigation into allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as applicable;

3.     Reiterates its call upon the Government of Sri Lanka to implement effectively the constructive recommendations made in the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, and to take all necessary additional steps to fulfil its relevant legal obligations and commitment to initiate credible and independent actions to ensure justice, equity, accountability and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans;

4.     Encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate with special procedures mandate holders and to respond formally to their outstanding requests, including by extending invitations and providing access;

5.     Encourages the Office of the High Commissioner and relevant special procedures mandate holders to provide, in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka, advice and technical assistance on implementing the above-mentioned steps;

6.     Requests the Office of the High Commissioner, with input from relevant special procedures mandate holders, as appropriate, to present an oral update to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-fourth session, and a comprehensive report followed by a discussion on the implementation of the present resolution at its twenty-fifth session.

---

*   Non-Member State of the Human Rights Council.

[1]   A/HRC/22/38.

###

Country breakdown of voting below, as available as PDF from here. For larger version of image, click here.

Statement by Min. Mahinda Samarasinghe before the vote can be read below, or download as PDFhere.

Download a breakdown of the costs that will be incurred by the UN HRC to support the resolutionhere.

Sri Lanka: A bad, sad, mad world

by Nilantha Ilangamuwa

"When a dog howls at the moon, we call it religion. When he barks at strangers, we call it patriotism."

-- Edward Abbey

( March 21, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Another howler has emerged from Sri Lanka. And, neither laughing nor crying will make any difference. In reply to the recent attack on Buddhist monks in Tamil Nadu, by politically motivated extremists, has proved once again the range of the howls by those holding unquestionable power and enjoying all the privileges in Sri Lanka. Secretary of Defence Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has been quoted by a pro-Rajapakse daily in Colombo this morning saying that any Dravidian coming from Tamil Nadu would be taken into custody and punished.

Published in Divaina, a newspaper owned by the Minister’s brother, is a statement by Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa that Sri Lanka will not have any dealings with Tamil Nadu hereafter and maximum penalties will be invoked on Tamils coming from Tamil Nadu, in retaliation to Sri Lankans being attacked and harassed in Tamil Nadu. A former Sri Lankan army lieutenant colonel, Mr. Rajapaksa has been breaking all the rules that should be obeyed by any Defense Secretary. The damage he has done to this country is bigger than anything he might hope to achieve. That said, as someone able to control ‘everything’, he can always blame the reporter later for 'misrepresenting’ his comment.

It was only fairly recently, when Indians were attacked by Australians in Australia. But none of the Indian politicians howled like how our Secretary of Defence has done over the recent attack on the Buddhist monks in India. There is no doubt that the attack is wrong. The Indian government has to not only arrest perpetrators and prosecute them quickly, but also prevent such incidents happening in the future. Maintaining a comprehensive diplomatic communiqué between the two countries is more important than expressing destructive emotional feelings in foolishness.

However, while this comment may be aimed at fooling the people in Sri Lanka to keep a 'patriotic' image alive, it will damage Sri Lankan needs at this crucial time. Acting like another Tamil Nadu politician is nothing other than the Secretary showing his true colours, while putting his country in danger. This kind of silly patriotism will not be able to give oxygen to the authoritarianism already at death's door.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is on his way to conclude his notorious political game in the country; it may take a little more time unless the opposition is able to get rid of the follies we have seen during the last few years. However, nothing can be stop the fall of the Rajapaksa regime, perhaps Rajapaksa has already walked out beyond the control of his own conscience. In fact, he may later, like former President Chandrika Bandaranayake, understand the blundering steps he was forced to take in the last couple of year, killing the primary institutions of the state. He has fallen into a boiling pot like a crab, where he dances with his family members, oblivious to the country having become a volcano about to erupt.

The UN Human Rights Council has passed its second Resolution against Sri Lanka, with 25 member states in favour, including India. Eight members abstained, while 13 voted against the Resolution. As predicted, the Government of India voted for the resolution. It seems that India is using a big stick against the present regime, which is habitually assassinating personal liberties and freedoms in the country. This is another historic event in the country's arrogant diplomatic mission to eliminate the country's image internationally.

Terrorizing diplomacy is a common practice that the government of Rajapaksa has worked hard to perfect in many ways in recent years, to aid which the President appointed military leaders as top level diplomats following the end to the bloody civil war in May 2009. At the same time he evicted most of the seasoned, rational, diplomats who could have protected the country from diplomatic catastrophe.

It is as if ignorance has become a central idea to the government’s decision making. It is its strategy, its motto. Such a strategy can work in local politics, but it will never work in international politics. It is clear that none of the Rajapaksa brothers have any idea what diplomacy is. They are deliberately ignoring what this country needs, concerned only with their personal benefit.

While being a cunning fox one can easily attack Tamils in Tamil Nadu, in the same way that the Rajapaksa puppets insulted the lady Chief Justice after tabling the impeachment motion in Parliament.

The country and its people have to suffer due to acts of these individual extremists.

"I can runaway to the United States if it's no longer safe here”, the Secretary said at the start of the war, remember.

Let us applaud the howls of the ignorant extremists as we stand on a knife-edge, not glad, but in acknowledgement of the bad, sad, mad gifts that the Rajapaksas continue to offer us.

Muslim Council Wants Rajapaksa To publicly Condemn The Hate Campaign Of The Buddhist Extremists

By Colombo Telegraph -March 21, 2013

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka urges the President to take decisive action by publicly condemning the hate campaign of the Buddhist extremists. Sending a letter to Mahinda Rajapaksa, president of  the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka N.M. Ameen urges Rajapaksa to instruct the police to take necessary action to stop incidents of harassment against minorities and their businesses.

We publish below the statement in full;

His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa,

The President,

Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, Office of the President,

Temple Trees,

150, Galle Road,

Colombo 3, SRI LANKA.

Dear Excellency

As you are aware the Muslim community has recently been targeted by extreme Buddhist groups for virulent attacks of hate and abuse on the basis of our religious beliefs and cultural practices and erroneous assumptions regarding the increase in our numbers. These groups who- are targeting all minority religions have created a great sense of unease among Muslims throughout the country. Their campaign has also affected all businesses—not just Muslims—and resulted in a threat to the maintenance of law and order affecting all communities.

N.M. Ameen

Out of our concern over the continued erosion of the above situation Muslim Religious, Civil, Professional, and Academic and Business representatives gathered on the 5th of March 2013 at a meeting organized by the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka in Colombo. At that meeting the group resolved to write to your Excellency regarding our concerns.

While we appreciate the many recent pronouncements that your excellency has made regarding the multiethnic nature of our polity, the Muslims’ long history in the country, and the necessity of all ethnic and religious groups to live in harmony, we see no substantive reduction in either the incidents of harassment of members of our community or the campaign by the extremist groups.

These groups have been using the traditional media, social media, public meetings, posters, leaflets, and the circulation of rumours and misinformation insulting Muslims to inculcate a sense of fear and hatred of Muslims among Sinhalese.  They are using abusive language when referring to our religious practices and publicly calling for a boycott of businesses run by Muslims.

As you know the Muslims have a long history in Sri Lanka and have enjoyed good relations with our fellow citizens of other ethnicities. While we were harassed during colonial times, and we experienced great strife during the riots of 1915, since then there have been no significant or widespread altercations between Muslims and Sinhalese.  The few local eruptions like those in Puttalam in 1976 and Mawanella in 2000 were fortunately controlled before they escalated. There were also similar hate campaigns against Muslims at different points in the past. These too, fortunately, were never allowed to escalate due to the good relations between the majority of Muslims and Sinhalese and the good sense of the Sinhala leadership of those times. We also lived well with our Tamil brethren in the North and East –with whom we share a common language– for centuries. Unfortunately the extremist ideology of the LTTE which wanted to bring about a mono-ethnic state for the Tamils of this country saw a deterioration in these traditional good relations and the Muslim community was driven out of the North in 1990. Muslims who were expelled in 1990 are still struggling to return.

Influenced by the global resurgence of Islamic piety in the 1980s,  Muslims in Sri Lanka too endeavored to become more pious and committed Muslims. This process saw the introduction of the hijab and the abhayafor women and the practice of the long beard and in some cases the thobe for men. Sections of the community have also chosen the nikab or face covering for women. The religious revival among our people saw the reduction of alcoholism among rural communities, the introduction of discipline within the entire community, an increase in religious knowledge among our young and a greater engagement with Islamic history and heritage. We consider this religious revival among our community to be an important historical development from which many benefited greatly. Today we are targeted by some Buddhist extremist groups for the wearing of the hijab and abhaya, the beard and thobe and more specifically, the nikab. Sections of our community hold these practices to be very important, and we strongly reject the criticisms that have been directed against them and charges of “extremism” leveled against them. The Muslim community, like all other communities in the country, consists of diverse groups many of whom do not prescribe to some of the above dress practices, and may not even agree with them. However, we consider it to be the right of all Muslims to choose to practice their religion as they see fit. In the spirit of tolerance and respect for difference within a multi-ethnic country, elements who may be “disturbed” by such practices should educate themselves about these practices.  There is no necessity to cast these practices that are harming none and are breaking no laws as “extremist” without proper basis. It is incumbent upon all communities to respect one another’s religious customs regardless of how new or how ancient they may be.

Rumors are also circulating about Muslim armed groups operating in the East. These are reminiscent of some that were circulated by the LTTE a decade ago and proved to be canards. If there are such groups they should be apprehended and dealt with immediately through due process of the law. If this is not the case, then urgent steps should be taken to prevent the rumor-mongering.

We Muslims consider ourselves to be citizens of this country with an equal entitlement to enjoy the many geographical beauties, the constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms and the promise of post war economic development; and while doing so we expect to fully enjoy the right to practice our religion and culture in a manner that is in no way harmful to other religious communities. More than anything else we also demand our right to live without being targeted by groups whose reach at the grass roots levels and whose exposure through media is causing a wave of hate towards us among the Sinhalese.

As you know, Muslims are well represented in all the professions, in the business sector, in universities and in civil society.  We have made and continue to make a significant contribution to the country and would like to be recognized as such. As responsible citizens belonging to a significant minority group we have shown great restrain in our response to the extremists. We have done so due to our faith in the larger Sinhala community who, we continue to have good relations with, and in whose ultimate good sense we believe. We have done so believing also in your own commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for our country. As you know, many are anticipating another conflagration similar to that of the pogrom against the Tamils in 1983. It is against the best interest of every single Sri Lankan to embroil ourselves in another conflict that will surely destroy us.

We urge you therefore, your Excellency, to consider the following in order to stem the rising tide of anti Muslim extremism in the country:

Take decisive action by publicly condemning the hate campaign of the Buddhist extremists.

Continue to proclaim publicly that the minorities are equal citizens and equitable stakeholders in the country.

Instruct the police to take necessary action to stop incidents of harassment against minorities and their businesses.

Empower the police to respond to instances where such forces try to take the law in to their own hands.

Ensure that the authorities take action against the media when they contribute to the propagation of this hate sentiment.

Diffuse the tension around the halal issue by either empowering the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) to continue to offer the certification, or by mandating a government institution to engage in the process(given that the certification is most necessary to maintain our export markets).

As stated above, we trust in your Excellency’s good judgment in this matter. As loyal citizens of this country we wish to continue to live in peace and enjoy the greatness of this land. We are confident that your Excellency will take the necessary steps to ensure that this happens.

Yours Sincerely,

N.M. Ameen

President

Muslim Council of Sri Lanka

TN attacks on Sri Lankans: GTF  defends its role, condemns attackers

by Shamindra Ferdinando

The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) yesterday condemned a spate of attacks on Sri Lankan pilgrims, particularly the Buddhist clergy in Tamil Nadu.

UK based GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran told The Island that violent acts of a few should not be allowed to overshadow, what he called, genuine and sincere protests and peaceful demonstrations, held all over Tamil Nadu, calling for an international independent investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity and continued persecution of Tamil speaking people by the Sri Lankan government.

When pointed out that in spite of the GTF’s criticism, their ongoing campaign in Tamil Nadu had triggered the recent wave of attacks, Surendiran said their campaign had primarily been to raise awareness and ‘educate our brethren in Tamil Nadu’ on what was going on in Sri Lanka even after the conclusion of combat in May 2009.

Surendiran claimed that no one could dispute their right to emphasise the gravity of the breaches of international humanitarian laws that were committed by the government against Tamil speaking people.

"We have never advocated violence and never will. We unreservedly condemn violence of any nature against any person or any community," Surendiran said.

Asked whether the GTF was pushing for the shifting of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from Sri Lanka to Tamil Nadu, Surendiran emphasized that they weren’t alone in opposing Sri Lanka having the opportunity to host the summit.

Surendiran said that the GTF had appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to push for a change of the venue. "Don’t forget the Canadian government opposes CHOGM being held in Sri Lanka. The UK Foreign Affairs Select Committee, International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch, the Amnesty International, The Elders, former UK foreign secretary David Miliband, Ex-UN employee in Sri Lanka Gordon Weiss, UK’s Labour and Liberal parties, Sir Malcolm Riffkind UK’s former Conservative Foreign Secretary/Defence Secretary, Many TamilNadu Political and Civil Society Leaders, various bar associations, including the UK, Malaysia, Republic of South Africa et al are also opposed to GoSL heading the CHOGM."

Surendiran expressed confidence that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa would positively respond to what he called their humble request.

Mumbai Tamils on protest

Thursday , 21 March 2013

Condemning Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse, the Tamils living in Mumbai city India was engaged in a protest.

Urging international probe on the Genocide occurred in Sri Lanka, the protestors made demands that Mahinda Rajapakse should be punished.

The Tamils from Mumbai urged that a resolution by India should be brought against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council.

The protestors holding photographs concerning genocides and placards were engaged in the demonstration and said the Tamils in Sri Lanka should be granted devolution of powers.

Sri Lankan group threatens to attack Indians

Mar 21, 2013

New Delhi: A Sri Lankan group has threatened eye-for-an-eye attacks on Indians from 
Tamil Nadu after two Buddhist monks were targeted in the Indian state.

Group leader Iththekande Saddhatissa Thera sounded the warning, saying the Tamil Nadu and the central Indian governments had failed to protect the Sri Lankan monks in the southern state.

Protest against Sri Lanka’s atrocities on Tamils in India.

Unless the Indian High Commission in Colombo ensured the safety of Sri Lankans visiting Tamil Nadu, it will “have to think of a system to protect people who visit Sri Lanka from Tamil Nadu”, it said.

The threat, reported by Ceylon News, comes in the wake of attacks on visiting Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu by Tamil activists angry over the death of many Tamil civilians in the war against the Tamil Tigers.

Saddhatissa Thera, who heads a group called Ravana Balaya, accused the Congress-led Indian government of being scared of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and DMK president M. Karunanidhi.

Both Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi, although bitter political rivals, want India to take a tough stand vis-a-vis Sri Lanka at the UNHRC session in Geneva.

“It’s enough that we have waited like cowards,” Saddhatissa Thera was quoted as saying. “If we don’t get any relief, we will be forced to harass businessmen who come to Sri Lanka from Tamil Nadu.

“We will have to suspend films imported from Tamil Nadu. We will definitely implement our programmes he warned… Don’t make us angry.”

He accused the Tamil Nadu government of not acting against “hooligans” who attacked Sri Lankan monks.

“Keep this in mind. If you assault our Sri Lankans who visit India, the day is not long that (Tamil Nadu people in Sri Lanka) will be assaulted.”

He also hit out at his own government.

“When there was a war in our country, foreigners were warned not to visit Sri Lanka. Likewise our government should ban our people going to Tamil Nadu,” he said.