Thursday, July 11, 2013

Prince Salie: A story of sapphires and steamships

Ramla Wahab-11 Jul, 2013

Mohammed Usuff Mohammed Salie was born in 1877. He was the grandson of Mohamed Usuff, the Alim of the Kandawatte mosque in Galle, who was responsible for handwriting a Quran he knew by memory for his mosque.

Prince Salie was sent at a young age to Madras for his religious education. Like generations before and after him he learned to speak in the Arwi tongue, more commonly known as Arabo-Tamil which is a written register of the Tamil language that uses an Arabic alphabet. The language was an outcome of the cultural synthesis between seafaring Arabs and Tamil speaking Muslims of Sri Lanka.

Galle was an international port town and young Mohammed Salie decided to leave home to see the world. Leaving against his father’s will, he voyaged on a cargo ship to Cairo and from there went on to live in America over the golden 1920’s. Prince Salie was not born a royal but conferred the title by maharajas and maharanis he befriended over his voyages. He was famous for the princely trade in gems he engaged in and the princely air with which he carried himself. Prince Salie turned ambassador of the Orient to North America and the world. Being a jeweler extraordinaire, he went on to market Sri Lankan Star Sapphires in Hollywood as ‘Stars for Stars’. The Prince was popular for throwing massive parties in his Miami villas and even importing elephants all the way to America from Sri Lanka.

Prince Salie married twice: his first wife was Elsie Goldsbrough from Melbourne, Australia. Upon marrying the Prince she converted to the religion of Islam and took up the name Ahmina Salie. His second wife was Abusa Umma from Galle. The Prince moved back home to Galle in the 1930’s. He owned a Studebaker, Chevrolet and Rover. The drivers of his limousines were at all times dressed in the complete Indian bandhgala suits. His very own castle, The Bombay Castle, an architectural fusion of East and West was built in the name of his grandchildren. It was located on over fifty acres of land in Karapitiya, Galle.

The castle was acquired by the government during the Bandaranaike socialist regime and is presently serving as the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle. A street signboard still marks “Bombe Kasal (sic) Place” in Galle.

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The project on the story of the Prince was undertaken by 4th generation Salies.

Ramla Wahab & Atheeq Mahuroof

Menon’s Message

Editorial

July 10, 2013, 6:42 pm

It looks as if the implementation of the 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s Constitution had become India’s biggest problem. Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, who was recently here for two days, meeting President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other leaders, has told the Colombo-based Indian journalists, that Sri Lanka should go beyond the 13th Amendment. We reported the other day that President Rajapaksa’s special envoy, Minister Basil Rajapaksa had been told the same thing in New Delhi during a recent visit.

This is an interesting development tinged with intrigue, we reckon. The 13th Amendment provides for the maximum possible devolution India was willing to grant Sri Lanka’s North and East at a time the Tigers and other armed groups were eating out of the late Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s hand. Why is New Delhi now cranking up pressure on Colombo to go beyond India’s own solution to Sri Lanka’s problem? Its Newspeak rendered into plain English means that the 13th Amendment should be considered only a starting point. What, does it think, is the solution?

This kind of ambiguity naturally becomes a rich seam to mine for the opponents of devolution. They will now claim India has let the cat out of the bag and bolstered their argument that the 13th Amendment will pave the way for secession or at least the creation of a federal state in the North and the East, servile to New Delhi.

Menon wants Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitments to India and the international community. But, had India gone full steam ahead to fulfil its commitments as stipulated in the Indo-Lanka Accord at the very outset, devolution would perhaps have taken root here. All the proposals in that agreement which the then President J. R. Jayewardene signed under duress were made ‘conditional to the Government of India taking the following actions if any militant groups operating in Sri Lanka do not accept this framework of proposals for a settlement, namely’:

(A) India will take all necessary steps to ensure that Indian territory is not used for activities prejudicial to the unity, integrity and security of Sri Lanka. [Indian soil continues to be used for anti-Sri Lankan activities.]

(B) The Indian Navy/Coast Guard will cooperate with the Sri Lankan Navy in preventing Tamil militant activities from affecting Sri Lanka. [This pledge was reneged on and the Sri Lanka Navy curbed LTTE’s maritime activities almost single-handedly.]

(C) In the event that the Government of Sri Lanka requests the Government of India to afford military assistance to implement these proposals the Government of India will cooperate by giving to the Government of Sri Lanka such military assistance as and when requested. [The forcibly inducted Indian army failed to contain the LTTE.]

(D) The Government of India will expedite repatriation from Sri Lanka of Indian citizens to India who are resident there concurrently with the repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees from Tamil Nadu.[Nothing of the sort has happened.]

(E) The Governments of Sri Lanka and India will cooperate in ensuring the physical security and safety of all communities inhabiting the Northern and Eastern Provinces. [India failed to do so and the LTTE carried out a countless number of massacres of civilians and ethnically cleaned the Northern Province. Sri Lanka had to neutralise the LTTE on its own.]

Above all, the annexure to the Indo-Lanka accord says, inter alia: "The President of Sri Lanka and the Prime Minister of India agree that the Tamil militants shall surrender their arms to authorities agreed upon to be designated by the President of Sri Lanka. The surrender shall take place in the presence of one senior representative each of the Sri Lankan Red Cross and the Indian Red Cross." [India pathetically failed to disarm the LTTE and, worse, the Premadasa government armed the outfit.]

When the parties to an agreement fail to fulfil the main conditions thereof, it is not worth the paper it is written on. India has failed more than Sir Lanka anent the fulfillment of the conditions in the Indo-Lanka accord. Therefore, how could New Delhi expect Colombo to abide by that pact which is now defunct to all intents and purposes?

Regrettably, Menon’s message, camouflaged as it is with diplomatic frou-frou, has, instead of pouring oil on troubled waters, allaying the fears gnawing away at the people abhorring terrorism and helping Sri Lanka solve its problem, only added fuel to the flames.

Emerging Voices: Ruth Canagarajah on Post-War Land Grabs in Sri Lanka

Chili-pickers near the High Security Zone border in Valikamam North, Sri Lanka (Image by author).

by Development Channel Staff -July 9, 2013

Emerging Voices features contributions from scholars and practitioners highlighting new research, thinking, and approaches to development challenges. This article is from Ruth Canagarajah, a Fulbright fellow in northern Sri Lanka who is researching the intersection of natural resources, livelihoods, and post-war challenges. Here she analyzes the impact of military land grabs on Sri Lanka’s post-war recovery process.

Emerging Voices Ruth Canagarajah on Post-War Land Grabs in Sri Lanka by nelvely

Sri Lanka flirts with press regulation

11 Jul 2013

In an interview with the UK’s Press Gazette this month, Lal Wickrematunge, brother of murdered Sri Lankan newspaper editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, lamented the self-censorship of his country’s press, and warned that UK hacks should fight for their own freedom of speech as an example to others, saying “Those who are in safer climates must keep the drum beating because these are the standards that other journalists in troubled areas look to.” Padraig Reidy writes

The Sri Lankan regime is not noted for its commitment to media freedom, with Reporters Without Borders declaring the president and his brother, the defence minister “predators of the press” in May 2013.

Sri Lanka Flirts With Press Regulation by nelvely

Commonwealth must ensure media access for CHOGM

July 10, 2013

Kamalesh Sharma
Secretary-General
The Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
Pall Mall, London SW1-5HX
United Kingdom

Fax: +44 (0)20-7930-0827
Email: info@commonwealth.int

Dear Secretary-General Sharma:

The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about press accreditation procedures for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in November. At past meetings, the Commonwealth's Communications and Public Affairs Division has been responsible for issuing permission to journalists to attend the meeting. And, as you know, the visa application process will soon be under way.

But press reports from Colombo have indicated that the Sri Lankan government intends to enforce stringent background checks on any foreign journalists covering the meeting, with the apparent intention of denying them permission to enter the country. A document recently released by the Sri Lankan government said that the authorities reserve the right to "exclude any person ... and impose additional conditions of entry to Sri Lanka ... regardless of whether or not that person is accredited."

Journalists will be issued accreditation by a task force, which is a division of the Sri Lankan Ministry of External Affairs. The ministry has stated that credentials may be "withdrawn, suspended, or deactivated for any reason at any time."

Ceylon Today reported that on Saturday, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said authorities would be "cautious about who is coming" because some journalists have attempted to tarnish the country's image under the "pretext of media freedom" and that they were a threat to the "national security of the country" and would be scrutinized before they are issued visas.

You are well aware, of course, of Sri Lanka's abysmal press freedom record and the high level of impunity for those who attack or kill journalists. Even though the number of deaths under the current government has subsided, many Sri Lankan journalists have told us of continuing intimidation, and many admit to self-censoring their work in order to not fall afoul of the authorities. Others have told us of coming under threat because of their ethnicity.

Secretary-General Sharma, you have resisted calls for the Commonwealth to change the venue of the November meeting. You said in a June 29 letter published in the Sri LankanDaily Mirror that the question for the international community was whether to criticize the lack of progress in Sri Lanka from afar or to make a practical difference. The paper quoted you as saying that the Commonwealth had opted for the latter option. You said, "We are active in Sri Lanka in advancing Commonwealth values, including human rights, the media, the judiciary and building mutual respect and understanding in communities."

While we understand the value of engagement, if the Commonwealth cannot assert its own authority in asking for full media access to such an international event, the future for positive engagement looks bleak.

We ask you to ensure that the Sri Lankan government, which is widely known for its aggressive anti-press stance, does not prohibit access to foreign and local journalists who seek to cover the events surrounding the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Such an effort on your part would go far to show your commitment to advancing Commonwealth values of media freedom.

With best regards,

Joel Simon
Executive Director

CC List:

Commonwealth Director for the Communications and Public Affairs Division Richard Uku

Minister of External Affairs Gamini Lakshman Peiris

Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella

Banned Press Conference Outside The Campus: Release The Student Leader – FUTA

July 11, 2013

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo and the Registrar today tried to prevent the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) from holding a press conference at the University of Colombo Faculty Club, by deploying the university security services and Marshalls who prevented journalists from entering the premises. The UGC circular that banned the media from entering university premises during last year’s FUTA trade union action was repealed according to an agreement reached between the Ministry of Higher Education /UGC and the Federation as part of the FUTA’s suspension of their four month long strike. Hence, today’s actions by the University of Colombo authorities was unlawful. This is symptomatic of the increasingly undemocratic and intolerant cultures within universities.

However, the FUTA officials went ahead to address the media outside, near the gate of the Planetarium entrance to the University. The Federation expressed its disgust at the authorities’ treatment not only of the university teachers’ freedom to hold a press conference, but at the way in which the media was prevented from doing its job. The President of FUTA, Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri said in his statement that the last weeks have seen a series o f incidents involving university students and that unprecedented numbers of students have been suspended from state universities. Read More

The Trinco-5 and a legacy of impunity

July 11, 2013

From sprucing up the capital city to shelving anti-devolution plans, holding a much-delayed election and making gingerly steps towards addressing allegations of war time excesses, the Rajapaksa Administration is getting its house in order ahead of a major Commonwealth summit in November. But amidst the changes prompted by increased international attention focused on Sri Lanka as CHOGM 2013 approaches, the regime still seeks total control in the north and wants to rubber stamp its anti-devolution credentials in the south. And as the judicial process into the brutal murder of five Tamil students in Trincomalee unfolds, it opens up a barrage of questions about alleged abuses and excesses in the war that broke out seven months after the killings

The Trinco-5 and a Legacy of Impunity by nelvely

The Curse Of Intolerance

By Tisaranee Gunasekara -July 11, 2013

“Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi desires that all religions should reside everywhere….” Ashokan Rock Edict 7

The attack on Buddha Gaya is an outrage.

When the religious of the different religions refuse to coexist, when they accrue unto themselves the exclusive ownership of spiritual truths or geographic spaces, when rulers see in religions (and in the credulous religious) a means to temporal-power, societal-violence proliferates, wars ensue and tragedy strikes.

Sinhala-Buddhistsupremacists proclaim Sri Lankato be a Sinhala-Buddhist land, because a majority of its people are Sinhala-Buddhists[i]. Based on this majoritarian-logic, they preach religious intolerance, rail against Christians, Muslims and Hindus and attack churches, mosques and kovils.

All religious venerate their places of worship. All religious experience sorrow and anger when their places of worship are attacked. The horror a Buddhists feel when a temple is attacked is the same horror a Christian feels when a church is attacked, a Muslim feels when a mosque is attacked and a Hindu feels when a kovil is attacked. Religious violence does not generate peace; religious violence begets more religious violence. A country which is caught in that bloody-vortex will become a living hell. That was the fate of Europe during its religious conflicts/wars; that is fate of countries like Pakistan and Iraq today. Read More

Donating Homes to War Widows in Sri Lanka's North

Rishi Thondunathan Special to Salem-News.com-Jul-10-2013

As the Thirukural beautifully states, "In the hands of a generous man, Wealth is like a medicinal tree whose healing gifts help all."

War widow home donated by Mr. Paramalingam.

(JAFFNA, Srl Lanka) - One generous man in Sri Lanka has created a small village, building 98 houses for war widows in Iyakkachchi (a village located between Elephant Pass and Palai on the Jaffna A9 Road). Each house cost around $20,000 US dollars, and in the middle of the building complex, there is even a community center.

The benefactor's name is Mr. Paramalingam. I had never met him but had heard through Dr. Aru Thirumurugan, that he was a very humble, spiritually-minded person who was born and raised in Jaffna and who is a businessman in the Middle East. I was told that this was not the first time Mr. Paramaligam had been involved in such philanthropic activities; he had previously built similar housing projects in Batticaloa and Upcountry.

Mr. Paramalingam is a devotee of Swami Ramdas (1884–1963) and he had created a trust in his guru's name, and is doing all these wonderful services with his own wealth. The trust also runs three Children's Homes and a few other charities in Sri Lanka. The trust carefully selected the deserving widows who received these houses. Mr. Paramalingam also plans to provide employment opportunities to these mothers and educational facilities for their children.

Early this year the houses were ceremonially opened. The head of Nallai Adheenam Swami, Swami Chitrupananda, Dr. Aru Thirumurugan, I and a few other dignitaries attended a very simple event at the newly built village. Being such a humble man and not desiring to draw attention to himself, Mr. Paramalingam did not attend the ceremony, but members of his family including his wife, son and brother were there with rest of us. It was a great joy for not only those who received homes, but also for all those who witness such generosity.

As the Thirukural beautifully states, "In the hands of a generous man, Wealth is like a medicinal tree whose healing gifts help all." May God bless Mr. Paramalingam and his family to continue their loving service to humanity.

Herewith, I am enclosing some photos from the opening ceremony for you to enjoy.

In Peace,

Rishi Thondunathan Read Full Article

The Need To Publish The Udalagama Commission Report

By Ranga Jayasuriya -July 11, 2013 |

Ranga Jayasuriya

In a dramatic turn of events in the conspicuously dormant Court case on the killing of five students in Trincomalee in 2006, the Trincomalee Magistrate on Thursday remanded 12 Police Special Task Force (STF) Commandos till 18 July, pending further inquiry.

That was after the 12 STF personnel, including one inspector, were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) earlier in the day and were produced before the Magistrate, at his residence in the night.

“They were arrested by the CID based on the findings of their investigation into the issue,” Police Spokesman, SSP Buddhika Siriwardene said.

He said the STF Commandos were remanded, pending a further inquiry and will be produced before the Magistrate on 18 July, when the Magistrate is expected to decide whether he would opt for a non-summary inquiry.

The 12 men, who were remanded on Thursday, were previously arrested in 2006, after the government was compelled by the local and international pressure to investigate the incident. However, they were subsequently released due to ‘lack of evidence,’ amidst allegations of widespread intimidation of witnesses and an officially orchestrated cover-up. Read More

Towards a World-Class Colombo: Development without Democracy

June 16, 2013,

Today, we invite The Collective for Economic Democratisation in Sri Lanka to shed some light on Sri Lanka’s post-war urban development and its implications for the wellbeing of the public. The Collective for Economic Democratisation strives for a historically grounded and socially relevant political economic analysis in solidarity with progressive struggles. Its articles and other resources can be found on www.economicdemocratisation.org

Towards a World Class Colombo Development Without Democracy by nelvely

Sleep-Walking Kind: Beware Of Approvers

By Malinda Seneviratne -July 11, 2013

Malinda Seneviratne

Transgressions are often accompanied by approval. Approval comes in the form of justification. It can also take the form of dismissal through trivializing, i.e. of the ‘boys will be boys’ or ‘he was not drunk, he was sleep-walking’ kind.

The magnitude or otherwise should not however warrant dismissal and this is probably why the adage ‘punishment should fit crime’ came about. Serious transgressions require heavy punishment, petty thievery warrant exaction of minor retribution.

We are talking ‘approval’ here. It is no secret that false and exaggerated claims, especially in a situation where the claimant’s reputation is suspect, need to be buttressed by approval. Approval must come from entities that appear to be uncompromised, honorable, ethical and professional. This is why people who have some kind of ‘scientific’ badge are tagged to claim. Read More

Video: Govt. has got its priorities mixed up - UNP

THURSDAY, 11 JULY 2013

United National Party (UNP) Kurunegala District MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today the Government’s development projects were not in keeping with the needs and priorities of the people but in keeping with its urge to earn huge commissions.

“At a time the people are struggling to survive amid the soaring cost of living and without proper health and education facilities, the UPFA Government is giving priority to development projects from which they can earn millions as commissions. Despite the burning issues faced by the people, the government has built a harbour and an airport by wasting billions of rupees while having failed to identify the basic needs of the people,” Mr. Kariyawasam said.

He said the country’s economy had collapsed because of the Government’s failed fiscal policy.

“This Government has also mismanaged Sri Lanka’s foreign policy. The President visits African countries like Tanzania and Uganda that are even at a lower level than we are. What kind of economic benefit can we derive from these countries? The Government has failed to strengthen its diplomatic relations with European countries,” Mr. Kariyawasam said.

He said people must decide wisely when they voted at the upcoming Central and North Western Provincial Council elections, which are being held at a time the people are undergoing enormous economic and other hardships.

Mr. Kariyawasam said our teachers were being forced to kneel before uneducated politicians whereas in the past it was the people who knelt before their teachers.

“Today society has deteriorated to such an extent that the teachers have to kneel before politicians who have only passed the Grade-8. There is a severe lack of morals and ethics in Sri Lanka. Today we have a society where parents, students and politicians do not respect each other,” Mr. Kariyawasamadded.
(Ajith Siriwardana)

►WATCH

Video:

POLL: The sexism in Sri Lanka’s Parliament

mahinda-rajapaksa-chamal-rajapaksa-2010-3-30-6-44-17

Photo courtesy AP-
11 Jul, 2013

Sri Lanka’s Parliament has an ignoble track record of sexism. In June, the entire country was shamed by its inclusion in the Guardian’s Top 10 sexist moments in politics, anchored to an offensive comment by the Rajapaksa regime’s Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama against fellow MP Rosy Senanayake.

Not to be outdone, we now have the Speaker of Parliament, Chamal Rajapaksa (brother of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa) reported in web media noting that women taking the lead sometimes obstructs work in progress and furthermore that they also impede justice.

One recalls that Sri Lanka’s first female Chief Justice, Shirani Bandaranayake, was unceremoniously ousted earlier this year by the Rajapaksa regime (read The devastating impeachment of the Chief Justice in Sri Lanka: Interview with Asanga Welikala).

What do you think about the Speaker’s sexist comments?

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa says women taking the lead sometimes obstructs work & impedes justice. Your reaction?

Continue reading »

Working With Women Is Difficult – Sri Lanka’s Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa

July 11, 2013

Women taking the lead sometimes obstructs work in progress, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said.

The Speaker made these remarks when the Women’s parliamentary group met at the Parliamentary Complex today under the chairmanship of Minister Sumedha Jayasena.

“This is not something I am saying. When women take the lead there is a tendency to not listen to anyone else. It is like this in a lot of places. It becomes difficult to work. If a woman is in charge of a District Secretariat or Divisional Secretariat or any other high office, they have a tendency to exert their authority over that place. So because of that, sometimes justice is not done,” Speaker Rajapaksa said.

Govt. thwarts Rosy’s move to get more women

THURSDAY, 11 JULY 2013

The government today thwarted an attempt by UNP MP Rosy Senanayake to present a private member’s bill seeking to reserve 30 percent of slots for female candidates at local government elections.

When Ms. Senanayake was about to present the bill, Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardane said a private member’s bill should be presented only after observations by the Attorney General. He said the procedure to be followed had been laid down in the Standing Orders governing parliamentary affairs.

However, JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said JHU MP Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera also presented a similar bill without following that procedure recently.

“Ven. Ratana Thera presented a bill seeking to amend the Constitution. At that moment, no such objection was raised. I want to know why a different system is applied when opposition MPs try to introduce private members’ bills,” he said.

Mr. Gunawardane said he had no issue with the content of Ms. Senanayake’s bill.

“I only stressed that the due procedure should be followed. If MP Dissanayake has any query, it should be directed at the chair,” he said.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said the presentation of the new bill would be referred to the next parliamentary week since there was objection raised this time. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

Cardiff Cricket Protest: Six Tamil Protesters Pleaded Not Guilty To Invading The Pitch

July 11, 2013

Six out of Seven protesters pleaded not guilty to the aggravated trespass on the pitch during the cricket match between Sri Lanka and India in Cardiff and were bailed with the condition that they cannot attend any national or international cricket matches until their trial in September.

The other protester who invaded the pitch, Manimaran Sadasaramoorthy who pleaded guilty to a section five public order offence at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, told Judge Martin Brown that his dad had been murdered by the Sri Lankan government.

“Nine men were charged – six with aggravated trespass on the pitch – and the others have been charged with criminal damage to a car, a public order offence and assault.They are all on police bail to appear at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on July 10.” South Wales Police yesterday told Colombo Telegraph.

Is the World Running Out of Babies?

Written by Michael S. Teitelbaum and Jay Winter, YaleGlobal -WEDNESDAY, 10 JULY 2013

Not anytime soon, but...

Or are low fertility rates just a phase?

It's no surprise that the world's population is at an all-time high - exceeding 7 billion - although many might not know that it increased by 5 billion during the past century alone, rising from less than 2 billion in 1914.

And many people would be surprised - even shocked - to know that over the past three decades, fertility rates have plummeted in many parts of the world, including China, Japan and even significant regions of India.

Is the World Running Out of Babies by nelvely

CBK has not had any discussions on political matters with General Fonseka

(Lanka-e-News-11.July.2013, 1.30PM) We have noted various news items that have appeared in diverse media, alluding to the possible return of President Chandrika Kumaratunga to the political arena.

Amongst these is a news item carried in the Island of 8th July, under the heading “SF hints at Political Alliance with CBK ……….”, which states that General Fonseka has revealed that he had discussed the possibility of reaching an understanding with Madam Kumaratunga with regard to the three Provincial Council Elections scheduled for this year.

Madam Kumaratunga wishes to state that she has not had any discussions on political matters with General Fonseka since he entered politics about 4 years ago. She has only met with him at public functions where she has engaged in casual and friendly chats with him.

The above news item also reports that the Former President was seen shaking hands with General Fonseka at the American Independence Day party last week, implying special motives to this simple incident.

It is evident that Madam Kumaratunga as a Former Commander in Chief and Defence Minister will speak with military personnel who served her Government, whenever she has occasion to meet them.

Madam Kumaratunga wishes to state that she has utmost respect for General Fonseka as the military leader who finally defeated the LTTE terrorist war and their project for a separate State.

However, she states that she is a Member as well as the Patron of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. She began her political life in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and has no intention of ever leaving it. Her political life has been spent as an activist and then leader of the SLFP. She wishes to remind all those who wish to hear, that she and her husband Wijaya together with respected, senior leaders of the SLFP, such as T B Ilangaratne, Hector Kobbekaduwa, Ratna Deshapriya Senanayake and younger leaders such as Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, D M Jayaratne and Dharmasiri Senanayake and many others made huge personal and political sacrifices to protect the SLFP, at a time some others in the Party who today hold high positions, conspired with President Jayewardene to destroy the SLFP.

Thereafter it was Madam Kumaratunga who brought a SLFP led government to power, after 17 long years of continuous electoral defeats, by dint of her planning and organizational skills, as well as her vision of a united, prosperous country governed by a modern, efficient, honest and transparent administration.

Madam Kumaratunga’s only wish is to see the SLFP progressing once again in the direction that was given to it by its founders and by her government and to see it as the great and humane Party that respects democracy, fundamental freedoms, honesty in governance and committed to the people of Sri Lanka, rather than the selfish interests of a ruling elite.

She states that she does not believe in hanging onto power forever and hence has no desire nor vested interests to engage in active politics in the future. If she ever changes her mind, whatever political action she may engage in will be as a loyal member of the SLFP.

Thank you,

Yours faithfully,

Media Officer
Office of Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga