| Bodu Bala Sena, Population Control and Reproductive Rights |
by Vishakha Wijenayake-2013-03-28
 The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has highlighted in their website the fact the latest census reports have indicated a reduction of the percentage of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka by around nine per cent during the recent past.
Stirred up the masses
The BBS has likewise stirred up the masses with rhetoric on the low birth rate amongst the Sinhalese community. Yet another foreign conspiracy, they claim. The Sri Lankan Government, according to them, direly needs and yet lacks a national policy on population 'control.'
The BBS attempted to influence the policy making process of the government by urging President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take action against two non government organizations, namely, Marie Stopes International (MSI) and Population Service Lanka (PSL) which they claim under the guise of providing family planning assistance have directed Sinhala women into Ligation and Resection of Tube (LRT) operations, with the intention of reducing the Sinhalese community from a majority to a minority community in Sri Lanka. Their efforts seem to have come into fruition since the government has informed all Medical Officers for Health to temporarily stop conducting LRT operations, due to the current political climate that is brewing in Sri Lanka.
Should the growth of a population be regulated?
Population control is a multifaceted conundrum. One which would most likely cause indigestion, if discussed over Sunday brunch. However, the Bodu Bala Sena is valid to the extent that this is an issue the Sri Lankan Government, nay any government for that matter, should take seriously.
China has practised a strictly regimental population control mechanism with its one child policy since 1978. Highly controversial as it may still be, the policy was introduced to solve social, economic and environmental problems specifically in the urban areas of China. Singapore too has recently identified a population deficit resulting from an ageing and shrinking workforce. A White Paper has been released proposing to bring more immigrants into Singapore in order to bridge this gap, giving rise to a heated debate. It so seems, the topic is no government's cup of tea.
It must be noted the Sri Lankan Government accepted family planning as a national policy as far back as 1965 in a concerted governmental effort to control population growth as well as reduce maternal mortality, infant mortality and malnutrition. This too amidst ample opposition by naysayers. The ten-year plan, which was implemented in 1959 focused on the post war baby boom and its implications on the unemployment rate.
A resumption of the discourse on population control maybe pertinent in the context of Sri Lanka, given we are once again gently sailing the murky waters of a post-war period. Being predominantly a welfare state a drastic change in the number of dependents can have serious implications to the social and economic fabric of the nation. However, the question still remains as to whether competing for racial dominance by numbers or survival amidst foreign conspirators, -whatever phraseology suits you best depending on where you stand on the political spectrum-, should be a legitimate objective of population control.
Compulsory or forced sterilization
To sift fact from the rhetoric, a distinction should be made between forced sterilization and women voluntarily exercising family planning options. Government policies which force people to undergo surgical sterilization are recognized as a crime against humanity in the Rome Statute and is therefore punishable under International Criminal Law. A UN agreement on women's rights passed on 15 March 2013 spearheaded by the Commission on the Status of Women condemned and called for action to prevent violence against women in healthcare settings, including forced sterilization.
One such policy was carried out by Hitler against deformed and handicapped persons by enacting the Law for the Prevention of Hereditary Diseased Offspring. More recently, in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, there existed a widespread governmental practice of performing surgical sterilization on women without their knowledge during Caesarean sections or abortions. This practice targeted the Rome population claiming there was a 'high, unhealthy' reproduction rate within the community. They were sometimes financially or materially compensated though it was not explicitly stated what this compensation was for.
Venerable Galbodaatte Gnanissara Thera of the Bodu Bala Sena said "We have no intention of violating the rights of people. People should be allowed to get these surgeries done where such surgeries are necessary. However, rural women are paid Rs 500 by foreign conspirators to be surgically sterilized as soon as they give birth to two children." When questioned further, he said such practices are carried out specifically and exclusively against the Sinhala women, and statistically around 98% of such surgeries are conducted on the Sinhalese.
However, as indicated by a General Circular No. 0109 of 2007, the Rs 500 is an out of pocket allowance paid by the government to clients who accept female or male sterilizations. This was previously done through the respective Divisional Secretariat offices. However, in an attempt to streamline the process the task was delegated to service providers such as PSL. The funds however are channelled straight from the tax payer's pocket as is the case with most government ventures rather than from the treasure troves of an unseen foreign conspirator.
Statistics further indicate that in 2012 of the 4,362 sterilization surgeries conducted by the Family Health Bureau, 2,877 were conducted on Sinhala women, while 1,035 and 450 were conducted on Tamil and Muslim women respectively. Something slightly short of rocket science would indicate that the surgeries are rather evenly distributed amongst the racial and religious spectrum of Sri Lanka.
These are grave accusations that the BBS makes. The veracity of such allegations must be counterbalanced with the accuracy of facts. If the claims of the BBS be true, then by all means action should be taken to put an end to such practice and hold responsible, before the law and according to the due process of the law, all perpetrators of such action.
Should the government intervene with a woman's right to make reproductive choices?
However, the need to prevent compulsory or forced sterilization should not be made an excuse to deny women their right to voluntarily opt for surgical sterilization. Nor should a government implement a population control policy that infringes on the reproductive choices of its people and more specifically, of its women, to the extent of denying them access to certain methods of contraception.
The United Nations Population Fund in its 2012 Annual Report recognized for the first time that access to birth control is an essential human right. It ensures the right to 'reproductive freedom,' of women, which centres around the principle that in order for women to decide how to manage their lives, they must have control over their bodies.
However, one may argue the State should be guarded in presenting its citizens with the option of making irreversible choices. An irreversible choice is a paradox. One makes a choice to give up on one's ability to make a choice at a later point.
The Executive Director of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka, Thushara Agus, while not willing to associate herself with the rhetoric of the BBS opined that "One should not forsake fertility unless it is a very carefully thought out decision. Short term concerns such as economic constraints should not be made to influence a woman's choice to permanently give up on her fertility." She also said the FPASL has stopped providing permanent contraceptive procedures since before 2003, due to the need for such services decreasing, the risks associated and the availability of alternative non permanent forms of contraceptives.
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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)
Friday, March 29, 2013
Sri Lankan Muslims fear reprisals as monks vent anger
COLOMBO, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Muslims in Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist country, have been living in fear over the past couple of months as comments and statements made by Buddhist monks at public rallies have led to hate campaigns, mostly using social media.
by Easwaran Rutnam- 2013-03-29
COLOMBO, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Muslims in Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist country, have been living in fear over the past couple of months as comments and statements made by Buddhist monks at public rallies have led to hate campaigns, mostly using social media.
The concerns saw an online campaign being launched this week seeking the intervention of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to protect the liberties of Sri Lanka's minorities and to defend their interests against hate speech and hate acts.
Hate campaigns began after a group of monks representing the Bodu Bala Sena demanded that the issuing of the halal certification in Sri Lanka by a Muslim group, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, be suspended.
Anti-Muslim messages and images were also posted on Facebook as well as other social media websites against Muslims and the halal certificate.
Muslim politician Azath Salley told Xinhua that things have gone out of control and the government is silent over the issue.
"The top monks can't tolerate this. What is the government doing? Things have gone out of control. The Bodu Bala Sena should be brought under control," he said.
The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama gave into the demands to stop issuing the halal certificate after at least two mosques came under attack by unknown groups during that period.
However the hate campaign has not stopped and the public have now petitioned the president to act before things get out of hand.
The petition urged the government and the police to take necessary action to stop incidents of harassment against minorities and their businesses.
"Declare it a criminal offence for hate groups to utilize police forces. Publicly declare it a criminal offence for hate groups to conduct state-unauthorized raids into houses, take action against perpetrators of such raids. 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," the petition said.
Addressing a public rally last weekend, the Bodu Bala Sena insisted Sri Lanka is not a multiracial or multi-religious country but a Sinhala Buddhist country.
Speaking at the rally, the venerable Medagoda Abayathissa thero urged the Sinhalese to protect the nation and not let other races or religions to take over.
The monk also urged Sinhalese families to have at least 5-6 children so that the Sinhalese Buddhist population grows in order to protect the Sinhala race and Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena, the venerable Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara thera said that the country should be ready to rally against Christian and Muslim extremist groups operating in the country.
He insisted that the Bodu Bala Sena does not have issues with Muslims and Tamils as a whole. However he said that Muslim women should not be allowed to wear the Niqab in Sri Lanka.
The police however felt the hate campaign was being carried out by some individuals using mobile SMS and not any religious group.
Police spokesman Budhika Siriwardena said that action will be taken against anyone attempting to incite racial or religious hatred via SMS.
He said that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has already launched investigations in this regard.
The police said that a Buddhist man and a Muslim man have already been questioned for sending out SMS messages which could incite racial or religious hatred.
The Muslim Tamil National Alliance, a group led by Salley, in a letter sent to UN Secretary GeneralBan Ki-moon, said that radical members of the Buddhist clergy were taking the law into their hands, with the enforcers of the law watching from the sidelines.
"After the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam, the Muslims of Sri Lanka have been looking at every opportunity to bring about national unity at a time when the country is in transition. We fail to understand the failure of the government of Sri Lanka in arresting the current trend which if left to go its course, would spell disaster for the country we call our home," Azath Salley said in the letter.
He urged the UN to draw the attention of the Government of Sri Lanka to international standards relevant to the protection and promotion of the rights of minorities.
The letter, a copy of which had also been sent to the UN Human Rights Council, said the government of Sri Lanka is failing to uphold and is pushing the country towards another holocaust.
"We urge your Excellency to take all necessary measures to guarantee that the rights and the freedom of religion or belief of the various religious communities living in Sri Lanka are respected and protected and ask of the government of Sri Lanka to adopt effective measures to prevent the recurrence of these acts," the letter sent to the UN chief said.
However the Bodu Bala Sena dismissed reports that it was against Muslims in Sri Lanka.
He said that such reports send the wrong message and tarnish the image of the country and of the government.
The Sri Lanka Muslim Council had meanwhile written to President Mahinda Rajapaksa raising concerns regarding the recent incidents targeting Muslims in the country.
In the letter, the Muslim Council said the Muslim community has recently been targeted by extreme Buddhist groups for virulent attacks of hate and abuse on the basis of religious beliefs and cultural practices and erroneous assumptions regarding the increase in our numbers.
It said the 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. These groups have been using the traditional media, social media, public meetings, posters, leaflets, and the circulation of rumors 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," the letter signed by the President of the Muslim Council N.M. Ameen stated.
The Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the parent body of 57 member countries, had also recently expressed its concerns over the escalating ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka, which has affected the island's Muslim community and its businesses sector.
The Saudi media reported that the (OIC) (formerly known as the Organization of the Islamic Conference) expressed its concerns amid increasing reports of ethnic tensions in parts of Sri Lanka particularly in the central province of Buwelikade, which has a large Muslim population.
The OIC pointed out that it is confident that the Sri Lankan government is taking the appropriate measures to calm the situation on the ground.
FRIDAY, 29 MARCH 2013
Inquiries into the unrest in Pepiliyana on Thursday night revealed that the warehouse of the ‘Fashion Bug’ clothing outlet which suffered damages, was not the main focus of the mob attack, but a Backhoe yard situated nearby.The Police said that three persons have been arrested in relation to the incident.
The mob attack had stemmed from an ongoing case regarding a police complaint over a love affair and alleged abuse of a girl by an employee of the backhoe yard.
The backhoe yard situated on the main Pepiliyana-Kohuwala road was torched by the mob at around 8.00 p.m. damaging the property and the vehicles parked in the yard.
A father of one, who lived in an adjoining house, also suffered head injuries when the mobsters pelted stones and damaged the windows.
According to an eye witness who was in the backhoe yard, a mob of some 50 to 75 people had stormed the premises and then torched it causing a huge loss to the property.
Eyewitnesses said more than 400 people were standing outside while the mob was on the rampage.
The backhoe yard is a Muslim and the entire episode was triggered after an employee of the yard who is also a Muslim was caught having a relationship with a 15-year-old Sinhalese girl in a nearby house.
The parents of the girl had lodged a complaint with the Police alleging rape, after which the suspect was arrested and remanded three days earlier.
However, the father of the girl, a trishaw driver, had allegedly incited the others over incident including monks after which the incident had taken a racial twist.
“I was scared for my life, I just saw these people armed with poles shouting and storming the place. I ran into my room and closed my door. All I could hear was people screaming. After around 15 minutes there was silence and I walked out to see the main office up in flames,” Mr. Shanmuganathan the watcher at the yard said.
Another person who is the father of one, a Buddhist who lives in the adjoining house who did not wish to be identified said he came out of the house upon hearing the ruckus.
“These people started pelting stones at us as well. My infant daughter walked out with me as soon as I opened the door and I bent down to give her covered up when the stone struck my head,” he said while showing the large stone that was broken in two on impact.
It was after this that the mob had directed their attention towards the Fashion Bug warehouse, situated about 150 meters away.
The mob had pelted stones damaging the windows and a few of them had got into the clothes stores and damaged it.
There was heavy Police, CID and STF presence in and around the vicinity of the clothing store .
Inquires revealed that the mob had gathered at a temple situated in close proximity to both businesses.
Police spokesman S.P. Budhdika Siriwardena said many Police teams have been deployed to apprehend the culprits.
“Police teams headed by DIG Anura Senanayake have been deployed to investigate the incident. The Police have been receiving information and we hope to make a breakthrough soon,” he said. (Hafeel Farize)
Video Evidence: Buddhist Monk Attacks Muslim Owned Fashion Bug
Fashion Bug owns by a family of Sri Lankan Muslims was attacked last night. The Video below clearly shows a Buddhist monk is attacking the Fashion Bug with the police protection.
“There was a false allegation of a rape occurring inside the Fashion Bug Complex in Pepiliyana. A rape did take place in the neighbourhood, where the accused has been remanded and the situation has been handled in the correct manner. The mob went out of control after intervening in that incident and turned on Fashion Bug.” the owners told the Colombo Telegraph.
Mob led by Buddhist Monks Attacks Muslim Owned”Fashion Bug”Clothing Establishment at Pepiliyana
D.B.S.Jeyaraj--
A mob numbering hundreds led by Buddhist monks attacked the showroom cum warehouse complex of the reputed apparel firm”Fashion Bug” in the suburbs of Colombo city at about 8 pm on Thursday March 28th 2013.
The Muslim owned “Fashion Bug”chain of clothing stores with the motto of catering to “changing life styles” is one of Sri Lanka’s foremost business establishments.It has a chain of 18 clothes stores employing over 1200 persons.The majority of its employees are Sinhalese.
“Fashion Bug” has a showroom and warehouse complex situated near the Pepiliyana junction (intersection) in the Boralesgamuwa area.Its administrative head office is also within the complex. Pepiliyana is about 9 km away from Colombo city.
Initially a group of around 25-30 persons including 8-10 Buddhist Monks had gone to a Buddhist Vihara in the vicinity and commenced a meeting at dusk.It is alleged that this group came to Pepiliyana from Nedimala,Dehiwela.
It was stated at the meeting that a 15 year old Sinhala Buddhist girl employed at “Fashion Bug”had been raped within the premises by a Muslim working in the same establishment.
MEETING
While the meeting was in progress the bell at the temple had been rung incessantly. When people in the predominantly Buddhist neighbourhood flocked to the Vihara after hearing the bell pealing they got to know of the meeting and attended it.The crowd increased rapidly.
Buddhist priests and civilian speakers addressing the meeting harped on the alleged rape incident and stated that the honour and chastity of innocent young Sinhala Buddhist girls was at stake. “Fashion Bug”was accused of exploiting the Sinhala girls employed in the establishment.The gathering was informed that a campaign was necessary to save and protect the Sinhala Buddhists from Muslim exploiters at “Fashion Bug”.They were exhorted to join the “satana”(struggle) to “Rata,Jathiya,Aagama bera ganna”(save the country,race and religion).
Provoked by this inflammatory oratory a mob of around 300 exited the Vihara precincts at about 8 pm and converged near the “Fashion Bug” showroom and warehouse complex at Pepiliyana. The lead roles were played by the original group of “agent provocateurs”.Some Buddhist monks were at the forefront of the frenzied mob.A few were seen throwing stones.
The mob had then started attacking the “Fashion Bug” building with stones shouting anti – Muslim slogans.As the attack was in progress more and more people joined the swelling mob.
In addition to the mob engaged directly in the attack, hundreds of “spectators” also gathered hooting and jeering.Some cheered the mob shouting “Jayawewa”(Victory)in an eerie scenario reminiscent of the July 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom.
ATTACK
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| The result ; police part of the problem |
Many collected sacks of stones and brought them to the scene of the attack to be thrown.
Apart from throwing stones the mob also used iron rods and wooden poles to attack the building.The glass showrooms were smashed. Parked vehicles of “Fashion Bug”were also damaged.Some of the furniture was destroyed.Cloth Merchandise was burnt.
Employees who were working there were threatened and chased away. The Sinhalese employees were told that they should be ashamed to work in a Muslim establishment. A few who talked back were manhandled and assaulted. Women employees were abused in raw filth.
Several employees of “Fashion Bug”sustained injuries in the fracas.One manager is warded at Kalubowila hospital with head injuries.
A Sinhala resident living close to the building was also attacked despite his shouting out “I am Sinhala,I am Sinhala”.
MEDIA
When the media heard of the attack and rushed to the spot they were obstructed by the hooligans who did not want them to video or photograph the attack.
Some tried to grab the cameras from the media personnel and tried to manhandle them. When the media persons broke free after a struggle and went forward they were subjected to a barrage of stones by the mob.
At least seven members of the fourth estate were injured in the ensuing struggle and in the stone throwing. “Hiru TV”s Isuru Udayanga had three stitches to his head.
Although the Police arrived on the scene they did not display any “keenness” to conrol the mob or prevent the attack. Instead the Khaki-clad Guardians of Law and Order were more interested in maintaining “law and order”among the spectators witnessing the blatant break-down of law and order.
ACTION
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| Aftermath: preplanned attack |
Meanwhile Muslim Politicians in the Govt were alerted who in turn got in touch with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Brother Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and appealed to them to take prompt action.The Inspector General of Police was also contacted.
Thereafter orders were issued and Police personnel attached to the Special Task Force(STF) as well as military personnel were deployed in Pepiliyana.
The STF and Army then exerted pressure on the mob leading to its gradual dispersal. The spectators too were chased away.
The situation was “brought under control” by 10.30 pm.
Defence sector officials went to the “Fashion Bug”premises,inspected the damage and assured the management that their security would be guaranteed. Extra security measures have also been set in place.
GOTABHAYA
Defence and Urban Development secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was also expected to visit the “Fashion Bug” establishment and inspect the scene of attack but the anticipated visit did not materialise on Thursday night.
Some Muslim websites have said that Gotabhaya Rajapaksa visited the Buddhist Vihara from where the mob came and spent a few hours there instead of going to the place that was attacked. These reports however are unconfirmed as yet.
The Police have now begun routine inquiries into the incident. A few are being questioned but as is usual in recent anti-Muslim incidents no constructive action or serious arrests are expected.
The exact identities of the original clique which initiated the attack are also not known.The names of the men in Saffron robes are also not known so far.It is however strongly suspected that the Bodhu Bala Sena was responsible for the attack.
HATRED
It is well recorded that the “Ethno religious fascist”organization known as the Bodhu Bala Sena(BBS) meaning “Buddhist Power Force” has been spreading racial venom and hatred at the Muslim owned “Fashion Bug”establishment in recent times.
Even last Sunday (Mar 24th) the General Secretary of the BBS Ven.Galaboda Atthe Gnanasara Thera told a meeting in Panadura that Sinhala Buddhists should boycott Muslim owned businesses like “Fashion Bug” and “No Limit”when purchasing new clothes for the forthcoming traditional April new year.The BBS had wanted people to purchase from shops owned by non –Muslims.
Last week a series of SMS messages were sent out by the BBS to media persons seeking their support in the campaign against Muslim owned busineses. The media was asked to give ample publicity to the BBS appeal asking people to patronise only non –Muslim hops during the April new year season.
The BBS has also been appealing to Sinhala employees particularly women to refrain from working at Muslim owned Business establishments.
RUMOUR
In a bid to justify the attack a rumour is being spread that the attack was due to the incident where a 15 year old Sinhala girl employee had been raped by a Muslim employee within “Fashion Bug”premises. It is being said that people of the area had got enraged about the incident and attacked the “Fashion Bug”.
Informed sources close to “Fashion Bug”management denied that such an incident had ever occurred there. It was pointed out that there was no employee below the age of 18 working at Fashion Bug”.
It is however learnt that a “rape incident” had indeed occurred at Pepiliyana some weeks ago where a Sinhala girl was allegedly raped by a Muslim man who was arrested and placed in custody pending investigations.
Neither the victim nor the perpetrator of the alleged rape had any connecton or link to “Fashion Bug”.It appears that a deliberate attempt has been made to implicate “Fashion Bug”with that incident and incite the mob attack.
ESTABLISHMENT
The corporate directors of “Fashion Bug” were questioned by the Police at the CID directorate on Friday March 29th morning about the incident and statements were recorded. It appears that the Fashion Bug management would not be issuing any media statement about the incident.
The rapidly developing “Fashion Bug” establishment is entirely Muslim owned with four partners. The first clothing store was begun in 1994 in Bandarawela with 15 employees. Today it has 18 retail stores in different parts of the country with over 1200 employees more than half of whom are Sinhalese.
The latest store was opened in Matara on March 18th with minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and Former Cricket capt Sanath Jayasuriya MP participating in the event.
“Fashion Bug”has also involved itself with several community development projects including one at the Kalubowila Hospital.
The “Fashion Bug”mission statement says it wants to “Provide society with superior products and services with affordable price by developing own brands, cater to changing lifestyles of the people which improve the quality of life and satisfy customer needs, and to provide employees with meaningful work and advancement opportunities”.
VISION
The “Fashion Bug” website says |that their vision is to be “the most preferred Clothing chain in Sri Lanka”.
If the Bodhu Bala Sena is allowed by the Raapaksa regime to continue with its racist hate campaign against Muslim establishments like “Fashion Bug” that visionary dream is likely to turn into a horrible nightmare soon.
DBS
| Matale mass graves are of 1987 -90 period : Gota, Shavendra and Balasuriya must be immediately interrogated therefore |
  During the excavations carried out since November 23rd , bones and skulls of 154 persons had been retrieved. It is to be noted that this is the largest amount of bones that had been discovered from any one of the mass graves in SL. The report forwarded to the court was prepared by Prof. Raj Somadeva and his team of the Kelaniya University post graduate division, and it was their assignment to ensure when this truly occurred , what was the age of the bones and how these individuals came by their deaths. Accordingly. they had ascertained the period when this occurred , and have also confirmed these deaths were not a result of a landslide or infectious diseases. The JVP MP Anura Kumara Disanayake who held a media briefing in this connection stated as follows : The heads of some of the dead had not come off naturally . Similarly the arms and legs had also not got disjointed naturally . They have been severed by cutting. They have got detached at the places where the bones join. It is therefore evident that these are victims who had been killed most cruelly by torture. There is evidence that nails and iron needles have been pierced into those bodies, he asserted, Dissanayake emphasized. As it has been proved that this incident has occurred during the period 1987 -1990 , and the security divisions were empowered to bury bodies without the main inquest into deaths , the security chiefs in charge of Matale shall be interrogated. The army officer in charge of Matale at that time was Gotabaya Rajapakse , the present defense secretary who was an army colonel at that time. The subordinate officer of his was Shavendra De Silva, a close sidekick of Gota. The latter had his meals daily at Shavendra’s parental house. Mahinda Balasuriya ex IGP was the police officer in charge of this district at that period. It was also Balasuriya who shot and killed Roshan Chanaka a laborer when he participated in an unarmed demonstration at Katunayake , and later sacrificed his IGP post for the sake of Gotabaya. Gota and Shavendra are already tainted by war crime charges. The charges leveled against the two of them are, their giving orders to kill the Tamil civilians , infants and LTTE soldiers who surrendered. With the confirmation of the period of these mass graves, it is apparent that the two of them must answer for the genocide committed on the Sinhalese civilians before they are held responsible for the genocide of the Tamil civilians. The most comic feature of these events is when ‘youngest brother was killing ruthlessly the Sinhalese in the south, Elder brother though crawling on all fours sped to Geneva human rights Council with records of human killings in the south. Sri Lanka denies tampering with BBC broadcasts  March
28, 2013 |
AFP/AFP/File
- Market vendors listen to the radio in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, 02
November 2007. Sri Lanka's state broadcaster on Thursday denied meddling with
BBC programmes after the British corporation
 Sri Lanka's state broadcaster on Thursday
denied meddling with BBC programmes after the British corporation abruptly
suspended FM radio feeds to the country, alleging ongoing interference.
The
BBC said on Tuesday that it was suspending its World Service FM broadcasts owing
to "continued interruption and interference" in its Tamil programming, but the
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation denies any tampering.
"We
have not jammed the programme or edited it," chairman Hudson Samarasinghe told
AFP.
"They
stopped the feed. They have not informed me why they did it," he said.
The
BBC said its Tamil service was jammed on March 16, 17 and 18, prompting warnings
to the Sri Lankan broadcaster that it was in breach of their agreement.
After
another disruption on Monday, the BBC suspended the service.
The
BBC said that listeners in Sri Lanka could still access the BBC on shortwave and
via its website.
The
BBC suspended its FM programming in Sri Lanka in similar circumstances in
February 2009, during the height of fighting between troops and Tamil Tiger
rebels.
Sri
Lanka lifted a state of emergency in 2011, but media rights groups say
journalists have been forced to self-censor their work due to fear of
attacks.
Rights
groups say at least 17 journalists and media workers have been killed in the
country in the past decade. Many Sri Lankan journalists have also fled the
island fearing violence.
The
country is currently ranked 162 out of 179 countries in the press freedom index
compiled by the Paris-based non-profit group, Reporters without
Borders.
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