Sunday, July 7, 2013

Dhammika and Nimal use Namal’s name to get commissions

Sunday, 07 July 2013

The President has been informed of an incident where large amounts of monies have been taken as commission by Transport Ministry Secretary and casino businessman, Dhammika Perera and his business partner Head of Pan Asia Bank, Nimal Perera for the Krrish Group project in Colombo, sources from Temple Trees said.

The President has ordered the intelligence units to immediately investigate into several large scale frauds allegedly committed by Dhammika Perera and Nimal Perera using MP Namal Rajapaksa’s name.
Meanwhile, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera has informed the President that the two businessmen are trying to take a massive commission by importing luxury Benz vehicles for the use of foreign dignitaries during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo. The President has asked intelligence units to also investigate this transaction as well.

SEVERAL TRAINS CANCELLED DUE TO RAILWAY STRIKE

July 7, 2013 07

Several night mail trains have been cancelled due to a 48 hour railway strike from midnight today by railway trade union.

Railways Professional Trade Union Alliance decided to launch a 48 hour strike from midnight today (07), based on several demands including a wage hike.

A total of 11 trade unions attached to the Trade Union Alliance are expected to take part in the strike action.

Discussion held with relevant authorities for over 3 hours on July 05 were futile as it failed to provide solutions to their grievances, said the convener of the Joint Trade Union Alliance (JTUA) of railway employees, Janaka Fernando.

The Leaders We Deserve

By Tisaranee Gunasekara -July 7, 2013

“Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, competence and commonsense?”- Lee Iaccoca (Where Have All the Leaders Gone?)

‘The Conference of Birds’ is a peerless jewel in the crown of Islamic literature. Written in the 12^th Century by the Persian poet Farid ud-Din Attar, this epic poem tells of an avian Odyssey in search of a king. The birds want the Simorgh[i] to be their king; but when they reach the distant home of that legendary bird, after an epic-journey, all they find is a lake in which they see their own reflections.

8 Crude bombs blast at Buddhagaya Vihara: 2 monks injured

(Lanka-e-News-07.July.2013, 3.30PM) Multiple small bomb blasts at one of Buddhism’s holiest sites — the Bodh Gaya temple complex in eastern India — wounded two monks on Sunday, but the historic temple itself was not damaged, police said.

The Indian government called the blasts a “terror attack" after eight bombs exploded at the complex in Bihar state, which attracts Buddhists and other visitors from all over the world.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but police said they earlier warned officials that Islamic militants could target the site, as revenge for Buddhist violence against Muslims in neighbouring Myanmar.

"Eight low-intensity serial blasts took place early this morning, injuring two people," said senior police official S.K. Bharadwaj.

Two more bombs were found and defused inside the complex, one of them near the temple’s celebrated 80-feet-tall (24-metre) statue of the Buddha, Bharadwaj told AFP.

"The holy bodhi tree is safe and there is no damage to it," Bihar police chief Abhayanand, who goes by one name, told AFP.

Along with temples, dozens of monasteries, housing monks from around the world, are located near the complex, which is believed to contain the tree under which the Buddha reached enlightenment in 531 BC.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts at the complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and said, “such attacks on religious places will never be tolerated".

Junior home minister R.P.N. Singh told reporters “it is clear that this was a terror attack" and teams of investigators were probing the incident.

Police in New Delhi had warned state officials last winter that Islamist militants from the Indian Mujahideen group were planning to attack the complex, an official focused on anti-terror operations told AFP.

"We told state police that the Indian Mujahideen planned to carry out an attack as retaliation for Buddhist violence against Muslims in Myanmar," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"We told them that Bodh Gaya is a probable target for attack," he said.

Indian Mujahideen has admitted carrying out numerous bomb blasts in recent years, and is often listed as a suspect in attacks across the country.

Attacks on Buddhists are rare in India but there have been tensions in the wider region recently following clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Additional security forces have been deployed to guard the complex after the blasts, which wounded two monks, a 50-year-old Tibetan and a 30-year-old Myanmar national, who have been taken to hospital.

Windows were shattered at one of the buildings, while a wooden door at a small temple was destroyed and debris was strewn inside another building.

Sri Lanka Buddhist monk Gomarankadawala Hemarathana, 28, who raced to the scene after the blasts, said one of the bombs had been placed at the base of the statue.

"It is a miracle that the Buddha statue was not harmed. The bomb was placed at the foot of the statue but it did not go off," he told AFP.

Former local legislator Sarbajeet Kumar said he was on his daily morning walk to the temple when the bombs exploded.

"Suddenly I saw smoke and heard the sound of the blasts. I realised that something bad had happened and ran for shelter," he told local reporters.

The Bodh Gaya complex, 110 kilometres (68 miles) south of the state capital Patna, is one of the earliest Buddhist temples still standing in India. The first temple was built in the 3rd century BC by the Buddhist Emperor Asoka and the present temples date from the 5th or 6th centuries, according to UNESCO.

The complex houses the holy bodhi tree as well as the giant Mahabodhi statue of Buddha, and multiple shrines marking the places where he is believed to have spent time after his enlightenment.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama makes frequent trips to the complex, which attracts visitors during the peak tourist season from October to March.

After his meditations beneath the tree, Buddha is said to have devoted the rest of his life to teaching and he founded an order of monks before dying aged 80.curtsy - AFP

Attack on Bodh Gaya; result of broken promises-UNP

SUNDAY, 07 JULY 2013

The United National Party (UNP)-led Vipakshaye Virodaya, the joint opposition group said today’s attack on Bodh Gaya was a result of Sri Lanka failing to honour agreements and undertakings it had given to other countries.

UNP Assistant Leader Joseph Michael Perera addressing a news conference said the attack was a direct result of the Sri Lankan government’s failure to handle international affairs diplomatically. He said Sri Lankan Buddhists had become the target of the international community because of the actions of this government. “However, we condemn this attack which has been directed at Sri Lankan Buddhists,” he said.

Mr. Perera said the continual hostile attitude by the Sri Lankan government towards international communities and to her neighbour could result in another civil war. (Yohan Perera)

Avoid visiting Mahabodhi next week-Govt

SUNDAY, 07 JULY 2013

The government today advised Sri Lankan pilgrims against visitng the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya during the next week due to the ongoing investigations into the series of bomb blasts inside the temple, this morning.

VIDEO: VIPKASHAYE VIRODAYA BLAMES GOVT FOR TERROR ATTACK ON BODH GAYA

July 7, 2013

Vipkashaye Virodaya, the UNP-led joint opposition group, says that the Sri Lankan Government should take responsibility for today’s bomb attack on the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya.

UNP MP Joseph Michael Perera satetd that when government politicians criticize other nations and launch scathing attacks at agreements reached with other states, the response comes with the world’s response to the country’s Buddhists.

Expressing anguish over the terror attack, the parliamentarian stated that the government should take responsibility for it.

Nine serial explosions rocked the internationally renowned temple town of Bodhgaya, including four in the Mahabodhi Temple complex, injuring two monks in the blasts.

The Mahabodhi Temple, the site where Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, is frequented by Buddhist pilgrims from Sri Lanka, China and Japan and the whole of Southeast Asia.

Mawbima People’s Party Leader and former Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara, also speaking at the press briefing, stated that the current government has become “weak” to the point where Buddhists would once again lose the sacred Bodh Gaya, which was rescued by Anagarika Dharmapala.

He stated that today India, our closest neighboring nation, is against Sri Lanka due to the actions and statements of certain “ignorant” Cabinet Minister in the country.

He stated that the actions of the ruling government had caused the terrorist attack on the Bodh Gaya and the current situation with India.

NO LANKANS AMONG INJURED IN MAHABODHI TEMPLE BLASTS; PRESIDENT EXPRESSES SHOCK

July 7, 2013

No Lankans among injured in Mahabodhi temple blasts; President expresses shock

Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Karunaratne Amunugama has confirmed that no Sri Lankans were among the injured in the Mahabodhi temple blasts in India.

He stated that the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi is handling matters.

At least two persons have reportedly been injured in multiple blasts outside the Mahabodhi temple in Bihar’s Bodhgaya district this morning.

Media reports stated that the injured, reportedly a Buddhist monk and a pilgrim, have been rushed to a hospital with splinter injuries.

According to reports, five blasts took place outside the world famous temple at around 5am on Sunday.

Initial reports said the blasts were of low-intensity and there has been no damage to the temple shrine.

The reports also suggest that the explosions were caused by crude bombs which were kept in a bag at a particular point inside the temple complex.

The temple premises have been cordoned off. Reports say security has been beefed up in and around other religious sites of the district.

Thousands of people from Sri Lanka visit Bodh Gaya on pilgrimage, the site where Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.

UPDATE: Meanwhile the Government Information Department stated that President Mahinda Rajapaksa, while expressing his shock over the blasts, has directed the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India to look into the matter.

Initial reports suggest that the target of the bombings was neither Buddhists nor Sri Lankan pilgrims, the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi was quoted as saying.

Earlier in the year, the offices of the Mahabodhi Society, the administrative body associated with Bodh Gaya based in Chennai, came under attack by suspected Tamil elements.

Video: Blasts inside Mahabodhi temple;5 injured

SUNDAY, 07 JULY 2013

Five people including two Tibetan pilgrims were injured in a serial blast inside the Mahabodhi temple complex at Bodhgaya on Sunday morning.

According to Gaya police, the blasts took place in quick succession between 5.30 am and 6 am in the temple complex and near Mahabodhi tree.

Senior police officers, including DIG of Magadh range, have reached the world heritage site-Mahabodhi temple. Forenscic experts from Patna too have rushed.

Mahabodhi temple had been on the hit list of the terrorists and IB had sent an alert last week.

Two Tibetan pilgrims who have been injured are admitted in AM College at Gaya, police said.

CRPF personnel and fire tenders have been rushed to the spot.(Times of India)

Video Source NewsX

Video Source NDTV

Poll highlights Palestinians' mistrust of Kerry, Netanyahu and even Abbas

Palestinians appear to be more interested in Egypt’s revolution and Arab Idol than efforts to kick-start peace talks with Israel.

Palestinians appear to be more interested in Egypt's revolution and Arab Idol than efforts to kick-start peace talks with Israel.

Palestinians ride a motorcycle past a mural depicting the Dome of the Rock on a street in Gaza City, June 23, 2013. -

They’re opposed, but don’t really care − that, in essence, is the Palestinian stance on resuming negotiations with Israel along the lines proposed by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. But it seems Palestinian AuthorityPresident Mahmoud Abbas cares more about upsetting America than he does about the public’s views. Thus, according to PLO sources, he is leaning toward restarting talks on different terms than he originally demanded.

PALESTINIANS APPEAR TO BE MORE INTERESTED IN EGYPT’S REVOLUTION AND ARAB IDOL THAN EFFORTS TO KICK-START PE... by nelvely

Two dead and dozens injured as Boeing 777 jet crash lands at San Francisco airport

A passenger jet was engulfed in flames after crash landing at San Francisco International airport, leaving two dead and dozens injured, many critically.

By Nick Allen-06 Jul 2013-Telegraph

Witnesses described how Asiana Airlines Flight 214 from Seoul, South Korea "belly flopped" or "pancaked" as it touched down, and then "cartwheeled" down the runway.

At least two people who were found outside the wreckage died in the crash, while another 182 people were taken to hospitals, many with minor injuries, authorities said. Forty-nine people were reported to be in critical condition, San Francisco International Airport spokesman Doug Yakel said.

Two Dead and Dozens Injured as Boeing 777 Jet Crash Lands at San Francisco Airport by nelvely

Saturday, July 6, 2013

London Chief Buddhist Monk’s Rape Case: Court Of Appeal Rejected Paedophile Monk’s Argument, But Reduced The Sentence

July 6, 2013

A three-judge panel of the Royal Courts of Justice has rejected the former Chief Sanghanayaka Thera of Great Britain, Pahalagama Somaratana’s argument that the Isleworth Crown Court judge Matthews failed to give an adequate direction to the jury in relation to the issue of delay, 34 years by the time of the trial.

Court of Appeal has reduced Pahalagama Somaratana’s total sentence by one year on June 07, 2013. The appeal was heard by Lord Justice Fulford, Mr Justice Openshaw and Sir David Calvert-Smith. Mansfield QC

Somaratna was represented by Mr Mansfield QC and Mr Stone QC (instructed by Veja and Co Solicitors) and Mr Merz for the Prosecution.

Somaratana with President Rajapaksa

Country brought under one flag

CHAMIKARA WEERASINGHE

one flag?

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) should realize that Sri Lanka is a country that has been brought under one flag to stand as one nation after elimination of the separatist terrorist movement, Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake said in an interview with the Daily News.

He said, it is of paramount importance that leaders of Tamil political parties awake to this reality in the country now. TNA is expected to engage in consolidating and advancing Sri Lanka's achievements with a clear conscience to uplift the Tamil people in the country from a development standpoint, rather than getting diverted by an Eelam dream to form a separate state in the country, he said.

"The TNA has refused to participate in the Parliamentary Select Committee proceedings proposed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, because they have not risen from their Eelam based ideological terrain," Dissanayake said.

"The PSC is mandated to look into constitutional changes to solve the national issue through power sharing changes," he said.

" The TNA has maintained that power sharing or devolution of power would be an interim solution, and that it is not the final solution to the Tamil problem. This is a position taken by a separatist terrorist group, (LTTE) that was defeated by the government."

" This being so, the TNA has raised concerns about the 13th Amendment demanding Police and Land powers to Provincial Councils," he said.

Minister Dissanaayake maintained that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP ) is a political party that considers even deeper measures of power sharing to solve problems.

"As a principle, we believe in devolution of power and empowerment of the public to solve issues. power sharing solutions are always at risk when there are separatist agendas lurking behind to snatch opportunity," he said.

"Devolving power will always be hazardous in the presence of separatist political elements and agendas," said Dissanayake." although LTTE terrorism has been eliminated by the government, one must not forget pro - LTTE Tamil Diaspora is still in operation to nurture the LTTE's separatist Eelam struggle," he said.

The Tamil National Alliance and their families receive political and financial assistance from the members of the pro-LTTE Diaspora, and they have not yet renounced their Eelam based political programme.

"The TNA must realize that the LTTE is no longer there. The government is committed not to allow separatism plague the country again," Minister Dissanayake said.

Speaking on Land powers and Police powers, the minister said, Sri Lanka has not given Police and Land powers to any of the its Provincial Councils.

"It is a universally accepted Constitutional norm that land powers are vested with the President. Before the advent of 13th Amendment, Land powers were vested in the Executive President of Sri Lanka.

However , land powers have been given to Provincial Councils under the 13th Amendment. This has created a Constitutional crisis. Speaking on the Northern Provincial election, Minister Dissanayake said,

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has announced the holding of the Northern Provincial Council election for the people in the North, to elect public representatives of their choice. The Northern Provincial Council election will be held in September as promised by the President.

Asked why that he was silent for sometime as a senior politician about the 13th Amendment while other ministers of the government spoke extensively about it, Dissanayake said he was silent about it because he thought that it is not the right time to deliberate on that.

"It is too early to consider extensive power devolution in the present context. I thought that the government could have deliberated on it inside the government while working towards national unity," he said.

"National unity lays the foundation for successful power sharing , he added. Minister Dissanayake also said the TNA must make efforts to ensure that the Tamil public in the North uplift their lives and that they achieve economic growth and prosperity.

The First White Van!

By Emil van der Poorten -July 7, 2013

Emil van der Poorten

Whatever is said about life around these parts, “dull” and “mundane” would not be adjectives that one would apply to our existences!

A couple of weeks ago, we had a helicopter “buzz” our home. Now, considering we are not even on a flight path of some crop-dusting aircraft, that was a bit of a thrill, even though it was something disconcerting enough that we would far rather have done without the rolling thunder that came close to touching our roof and then disappeared by the time we had gathered our wits and come out to see what the hell all the noise was about!

Then a few afternoons ago we had our most recent bit of excitement at the time when, in my efforts not to have an afternoon nap and thereby try to sleep through the 4:00 am wake-up call to prayer from a neighbouring mosque and its peacefully co-existing Buddhist temple, I was rattling away the afternoon at my laptop keyboard.

The Tamil diaspora gets together in Toronto

APARITA BHANDARI-Jul. 05 2013,

Parigal Thiru still remembers his disappointment when he didn’t get to dance.

In 1992, he was all set to participate in a performance at FeTNA, an annual gathering of Tamil cultural organizations across North America. “Halfway through rehearsals I came down with chicken pox, so that was the end of that,” he said.

Now Mr. Thiru, 34, a planner with York Region, is not only participating in FeTNA. he’s part of the reason the event is in Toronto this weekend.

For the first time in its 26-year history, the FeTNA (Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America) convention is being held outside the United States. Mr. Thiru joined the organization in 2009 and pushed for Toronto as a destination.

“We have over 250,000 Tamils in the GTA alone,” Mr. Thiru said. “Given the calibre of the community, whether it’s the arts or business angle, or just from a cultural angle … Toronto is the ideal place to hold FeTNA.”

For Aarani Ravendravarman, the convention is a one-stop shop to experience all aspects of her Tamil heritage.

“When I was younger … I was connected very superficially [to my Tamil identity], through Tamil movies and songs,” said Ms. Ravendravarman, 27, who works part-time for the David Suzuki Foundation.

As she grew older, so did her interest in the rich tradition she came from. She wants to “take in as much as I can [this weekend] ... and go away wanting to learn more. Like the epic dance drama – I can’t wait to see it on stage.”

Ms. Ravendravarman is referring to Sivagamiyin Sabatham, a dance drama based on a historical thriller set in seventh-century south India that was performed at the Sony Centre Friday. It was choreographed by renowned classical Indian Bharatanatyam dancer Madurai R. Muralidharan, who flew in from India this week to oversee the final preparations.

In anticipation of Mr. Muralidharan’s arrival, celebrity actor-dancer-choreographer Nanda and well-known Bharatanatyam dancer Uma Murali took charge. Both had flown in from India a few months ago.

In Toronto, 120 dance students – mostly young girls – from different schools across the GTA teaching different styles of Bharatanatyam had been practising their parts since the mid-April auditions.

The convention continues until Sunday. Events on Saturday at the Sony Centre include:

ABUSEd: Choreographed by a group of Toronto classical and contemporary artists, this dance performance addresses the issue of domestic violence – a taboo topic in the Tamil community. 4 p.m.

Water : Inspired by the Hindu mythology of Dasavatar, this dance performance has been choreographed by Nanda, famous in the Tamil community for having won the South Indian dance talent TV show Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Deva . It also features local dancers. Saturday, 5:20 p.m.

Kollywood Concert: The final event of the evening features famous Tamil playback singers Mano, Charulatha Mani, Satyhaprakash and Praghati. The singers will be backed up local Tamil band AGNI. 8 p.m.

Schedule is subject to change.

India’s Invasion By Invitation – 1987

By S.Sivathasan -July 6, 2013

S.Sivathasan

JR invited, Rajiv Gandhi invaded and Tamils paid the price. The cost of political unrealism at over 1,500 dead on either side was exacting. The invasion had a twin motive. To make the North safe for the TULF – read moderates friendly to India – and the South safe for the UNP – read a regime amenable to India. JR heaped victory on his country. The invitee was treated to ignominy by Tamil militants. It rankled in India’s mind from 1987 and most particularly since 1991 and was avenged in 2009. Lessons of the misadventure are not learnt yet by any of the parties complicit to it.

Menon to carry Manmohan’s message

2013-07-04

Exactly a year ago, on 28 June 2012, India's National Security Advisor, Shiv Shankar Menon, arrived in Colombo to take up several critical issues with Sri Lanka's Head of State. At the time, Sri Lanka's reputation had taken a nosedive, following strong allegations of human rights violations, particularly during the final stages of the war. By the time Menon arrived, Sri Lanka was in the international doghouse and not so strangely, India was found solidly backing the countries that were vociferously demanding accountability from the island nation.

Menon to carry Manmohan’s message by nelvely

Keheliya Says, Ramith Says: Meanwhile In A Parallel Universe Called Humilit

By Malinda Seneviratne -July 7, 2013

Malinda Seneviratne

Keheliya says:

First of all, please understand that I have a tough job. On the one hand I am a conveyor of Cabinet decisions. When I do this I am the first ‘point man’ for tough queries on these same decisions, even though I am not necessarily an expert on each and every subject. I also have to play a damage control role because the media is notorious for taking the slightest error or slip on the part of the Government and inflating it for their own purposes, not all of which is about informing and educating the public. There are times when the slip-ups are real and embarrassing. At such times I have a tough brief to defend. I do my best to keep things sane and in context.