Women are not willing to go back to pre-war status quo

Women are not willing to go back to pre-war status quo

Groundviews 

By Kumi Samuel and Chulani Kodikara-22 May, 2010

‘Women are not just victims of war, as some aspects of their experiences are empowering and can be used as a resource for healing and transformation’.

War is a gendered process. Post war is no different.   It may be a cliché to say that in Sri Lanka as elsewhere in the world, the most visible and harmful impact of 30 years of war has been on women, but that is the reality.  As men joined militant groups or the armed forces, were arrested, abducted, disappeared, or took flight to safer locations outside the community or the country, women were left behind to cope with fractured families and communities; multiple displacement, transition in alien spaces such as camps for the displaced; or resettlement in distant and unfamiliar regions.  Untold numbers of women, mostly Tamil, (but including a significant number of Muslim and Sinhala women living in conflict affected areas) became de facto and de jure heads of household and were thrust into new roles both within and outside the private domain. They became responsible for the physical and economic security and survival of their families and had to battle the cultural constraints that challenged this conflict-imposed transition. While the violence of war and attendant militarism also contributed to increase the nature and levels of violence against women, ranging from sexual harassment to rape and sexual torture they were never merely victims of the war and violence.

Women Are Not Willing to Go Back to Pre-war Status Quo by nelvely

‘Women – Out Of The Frame’ – A Visual Treat In Colombo

By Ajita Kadirgamar -July 13, 2013

Ajita Kadirgamar

When the call went out, over 500 photos were submitted from all parts of the island. Forty five photographers were chosen to exhibit at ‘Women – Out of the Frame’, a photographic exhibition supported by the Norwegian Embassy and the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka. Interestingly, though the theme was around women, there were an equal number of men and women photographers participating. The resulting show held from July 5 – 10 was a well curated, thematically neatly balanced collection of photographic stories. Worthy of mention are some of the following photographers and their work:

Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai (Dushi)

Read More

Sitting President Still Wanted on Charges of Genocide In Darfur

By Luis Moreno Ocampo and Tom Andrews 07/12/2013 

Three years ago today, an arrest warrant was released by the International Criminal Court for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of genocide in Darfur. Yet today Bashir is a fugitive from justice and is the current president of Sudan.

The Darfur case was originally referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the United Nations Security Council, implying an obligation for the world to hold those wanted to account. The charges of genocide came on top of previous charges issued for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Even more inauspicious, it was ten years ago that the genocide that led to 300,000 deathsbegan in Darfur. Bashir's forces learned to use rape and hunger as silent weapons to commit genocide against some 2.5 million Darfuris. They are living in camps for displaced persons at the disposal of Bashir's forces. They are helpless, voiceless and with no hope for the future. Those who have the duty to protect them attack them. Darfuris need international authorities to help end a genocide that should have been stopped years ago.

Bashir is also attacking Sudanese citizens in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile. In addition to aerial bombardments and ground attacks, Bashir has again used hunger as a weapon, blocking international humanitarian access to those most affected by the violence.

In fact, it is the same individuals wanted by the ICC for crimes in Darfur who are overseeing the attacks in the South, not only Bashir, but also the former Minister of Interior and current Defense Minister, Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein, and the former State Minister for the Interior and current Governor of Kordofan Ahmad Harun. Impunity has a cost of millions of new victims.

The world once claimed ignorance of the Nazi atrocities. Fifty years later, the world refused to recognize an unfolding genocide in Rwanda. On Darfur, the world is officially on notice.

Yet, in the last two months alone Bashir was welcomed into Ethiopia, Eritrea, Qatar and Chad (a country that has signed onto the ICC) with barely a whisper of condemnation from the world's governments.

Such impunity echoes far beyond the borders of Sudan. As the first sitting president wanted by the ICC, Bashir is a symbol of what could be the destiny of Assad and other leaders. They are committing more atrocities to remain in power.

If Bashir is to be held accountable then the countries that enable his impunity must also be held accountable. And if the UN Security Council and the world's governments will not cry out against such an affront to justice, then it is up to citizens to do so. Last year millions watched the video seeking justice for the abuser of child soldiers Joseph Kony. The United States sent special forces to help track and apprehend him. Unlike Kony, we know exactly where Bashir is. We know where he travels and when.

The world will listen. Last year the outcry of activists and some Members in the U.S. Congress helped to bring pressure to bear on Malawi, both diplomatically and in the form of threatened loss of bilateral aid, resulting in a warning that Bashir would be arrested if he were to follow through on a planned visit. Malawi joins South Africa and Zambia as countries that have taken the positive step to commit to upholding justice if Bashir should try to visit. Other countries should do more to stop Bashir.

If the United States and China, Europe and Russia, the African Union and Arab League reach an agreement, Bashir will go and his criminal policies will end. Efforts like Bashir Watch will make sure that silence is not an acceptable option.

Ten years from now, we hope that the lesson before the world will be one of Bashir facing justice, not one of a repeat offender leading a new series of crimes against humanity and genocide. A decade of impunity is already too long.

Luis Moreno Ocampo is the former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and a Distinguished Visiting Professor at NYU Law School. Former Congressman Tom H. Andrews is the President of United to End Genocide.

Malaysia should boycott CHOGM, IC should call for referendum: Penang Dy-CM

[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 July 2013, 19:31 GMT]
Malaysia should not participate in CHOGM in Colombo simply because what took place in 2009 was a genocide against Tamil people. Unless the Sri Lankan government is taken to task on the genocide against Tamils, I think the Commonwealth countries should boycott CHOGM in Colombo this year, said Malaysia’s Penang State Deputy Chief Minister, Prof Ramasamy in an exclusive interview to TamilNet this week. While the Tamil issue has been so much internationalised, countries like India try to go back to the 13th Amendment. Rather than undemocratically imposing a solution, I suggest that the International Community should call for a referendum among Tamils, whether they want a separate state or not, because it was the Tamils who were victimised. Let’s not judge from what others say, let’s ask what the Tamils want, he further said. 



Prof Ramasamy came hard against the Malaysian government for its police and immigration disrupting the screening of Callum Macrae’s “No Fire Zone” in Malaysia earlier this month.

The Channel 4 video has brought out the atrocities committed during the Vanni war. A few NGOs in Malaysia have joined together and arranged the screening of the video at the Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur. During the screening the police interrupted and the Malaysian immigration also was there, Prof Ramasamy said.

The Penang Deputy Chief Minister alleged that the Sri Lanka’s High Commission in Kuala Lumpur prompted the Malaysian government in this regard, by saying that some foreigners have come illegally into Malaysia. But there was no such thing. It was clearly a work of the Sri Lankan government, he said.

The Sri Lankan government is a paranoid government. They want to stop the screening of such videos because they don’t want the world to know what really happened, Prof Ramasamy said.

He questioned the practice of the Malaysian government and its agencies for getting directives from the Sri Lankan High Commission in such instances.

“I hope the Malaysian government would desist from getting directives from Sri Lanka embassy from now on,” Prof Ramasamy said. 

The Malaysian government claims that this is a democratic country. People are free to screen videos or movies on human rights or on genocide. Malaysia was in the forefront in supporting the struggle of the Bosnians, the plight of Muslims. Why can’t the Malaysian government allow the screening of videos such as the “No Fire Zone” also, showing the plight of innocent people, Prof Ramasamy questioned.

Sumanthiran blames govt., Mustapha defends it

*Attacks on Muslims, anti- Halaal campaign

By Mario Andree-July 12, 2013

While TNA parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran claimed that the government was behind the attacks on Muslims and the anti-Halaal campaigns and had done nothing to protect the Muslims, Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion Faiza Mustapha defended the government and claimed that it was the ‘Bodu Bala Sena’ which was responsible for such actions.

Addressing the 14th Economic Summit, organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, both parliamentarians debated the anti-Halaal issue and the violence against Muslims.

Sumanthiran said that the government was behind the anti-Halaal campaign and encouraged violence against Muslims resulting in several parties illegally raiding slaughter houses clothes stores owned by Muslims. The relevant authorities had not taken any legal action against the culprits, he said.

"No party involved in the issue has so far been arrested," he said, asking Mustapha if that was what he claimed to be containment.

Political rights 'a must' for a free and fair election CaFFE Executive Director in Jaffna 12 July 2013 For a free and fair election to take place in the north the rights of the individual citizens should be protected said Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) executive director, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon at the opening of CaFFE’s Jaffna district office yesterday (July 11.) He added that the basic human rights are the basis of a free and fair election as the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, right to engage in political activity and freedom of movement are essential for various political actors to convince the voters of their agenda in a peaceful manner. In turn the enshrinement of basic human rights gives the voter the freedom to make a choice based on his liking.  Addressing CaFFE local media Tennakoon added that a free and fair election could be held if the candidates and political parties desire that. However the lack of discipline among candidates and their supporters, the feeling of impunity, and the pressure to win at any cost has made it extremely unsuitable for a free and fair election. In addition the heavy presence of the military, the perceived biasedness of the security forces and the recent change in the behavior of the northern media has also cast doubts about holding a free and fair elections.  Tennakoon added that CaFFE has continuously expressed its grave concern over the media culture of self-censorship developing in the north due to continuous attacks. There have been continuous attacks/ attempts to intimidate journalists and newspaper distributors of Uthayan, Yaal Thinakural and Weerakesari in recent times. In the face of growing suppression media ownership has also begun to pressurize journalists to avoid writing on certain issues. This self censorship, especially in regarding human rights, rule of law and democracy, in the run up to the Northern Provincial Council election is unacceptable  In addition there is no freedom for the youth to engage in mainstream politics and many fear to join a political party of their liking due to the abduction of political activists like Lalith and Kugan of Frontline Socialist Party (FSP.) These abductions and attacks in a city, which has a great military presence, have caused distrust among the ordinary residents. Not only youth activists but also senior respected politicians including opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has been prevented from visiting certain areas in the north. These limits on people’s fundamental rights, enshrined by the constitution, has a direct impact on the peoples participation/perception of elections.  The people of the north have been battered by continuous war for nearly three decades and often they are not interested in elections or politics, as shown by consistent low voter turnout in recent elections. Realizing that civil society organizations must take the initiative and encourage them to participate in the democratic process, CaFFE in recent times have conducted mobile clinics to provide valid identification cards and birth certificates to the residents of the north. In addition it has carried out voter education programmes to educate the voters on the importance of provincial councils for the development of the region.  The opening of the CaFFE district office is simultaneous with its most recent drive to assist 85,000 eligible voters in the north who do not have officially recognized identity cards, through it's sister organization -- Center for Human Rights and Research (CHR).

Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani Teenager Shot By Taliban, Takes Education Fight To UN (LIVESTREAM)

 By Nader Salass-07/12/2013

UNITED NATIONS -- A new report released to mark the 16th birthday of a Pakistani teenager shot by the Taliban for promoting education for girls says 57 million children around the world are not going to school, and half live in conflict-affected countries.

The U.N. education and cultural agency UNESCO and Save the Children released the study ahead of Friday's first public appearance at the United Nations by Malala Yousafzai, who returned to school in March after medical treatment in Britain for injuries she suffered in the October attack.

She will address more than 500 young leaders from around the world at a Youth Assembly organized by General Assembly President Vuk Jeremic and U.N. special envoy for global education Gordon Brown, the former British prime minister.

The U.N. has declared July 12 – her 16th birthday – as "Malala Day."

According to the report, the number of children of primary school age who are not getting an education has fallen from 60 million in 2008 to 57 million in 2011, but during that period the percentage of youth in conflict-affected countries who aren't at primary school rose from 42 percent to 50 percent, UNESCO said.

Save The Children said the report shows that in 2012 there were more than 3,600 documented attacks on education, including violence, torture and intimidation against children and teachers resulting in death or grave injuries, as well as the shelling and bombing of schools and the recruitment of school-aged children by armed groups.

Since the start of the Syria conflict more than two years ago, 3,900 schools have been destroyed, damaged or are occupied for non-educational purposes, the report says.

The report, called "Children Battling To Go To School," found that 95 percent of the 28.5 million children who aren't getting a primary school education live in low and lower-middle income countries – 44 percent in sub-Saharan Africa, 19 percent in south and west Asia and 14 percent in the Arab states, UNESCO said.

Girls make up 55 percent of the total and are often the victims of rape and other sexual violence that accompanies armed conflicts, UNESCO said.

"Across many of the world's poorest countries, armed conflict continues to destroy not just school infrastructure, but also the hopes and ambitions of a whole generation of children," UNESCO's Director-General Irina Bokova said.

Mosque attacked in Puttlam

Group of unidentified personals have attacked Mosque at Mahiyangane, Puttlam last night.

A group comprises with six members have stoned the mosque at 11.30 pm. Glasses of several windows and doors were damaged. Attackers have thrown meat parcel into the mosque. Complaint has been lodged at the Mahiyangana police and further investigations are underway. Protest at Puttalam against Dambulla Masjid Incident 1

Protest at Puttalam against Dambulla Masjid Incident 2

SL minister refutes rape testimony of murdered Brit's partner

12 July 2013
Sri Lanka's Chief Government Whip, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, told Parliament on Wednesday that the partner of the murdered British citizen, Khuram Shaikh, was not subjected to any rape of sexual violence. 

Gunawardena said that she 'had only received serious injuries as a result of being assaulted', reported Ceylon Today.

However, earlier this year, Shaikh's partner Victoria Alexandravona, speaking in an interview said,

“You try not to think that could have happened but it’s disgusting because they killed Khuram and sexually assaulted me”. 

When Gunawardena was challenged, by highlighting the fact that her testimony contradicted his remarks, Gunawardena replied:

“I am presenting the answer given to me by the Ministry of Defence, based on the police records submitted to them. If you have more details or evidence on the matter, present it to the Court as there is case pending.”

Asked whether she was still alive, Gunawardena assured that she was.

See related articles:

Sri Lanka rape victim will ‘go on to the end’ for justice (21 Apr 2013)

UK MP pledges to canvas Queen for CHOGM boycott (08 Mar 2013)


British murder victim's brother disheartened (30 Dec 2012)

Khuram Shaikh’s family distressed as death anniversary looms (23 Dec 2012)

British MP fears SL government covering up tourist murder (19 Dec 2012)

Politician accused of murder reinstated in post (14 Aug 2012) 

Desertification of oases of freedom

 

Editorial-July 12, 2013, 8:56 pm

Yesterday, we front-paged a picture of the President and the Secretary of the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA), Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri and Dr. Rohan Fernando respectively, lugging a table for an outdoor media briefing at the Colombo University as they had been denied permission to have that meeting inside any of the buildings on the campus. Our late city edition had on its page one a report that scientists would examine the sacred Bo tree at Bodh Gaya, where Prince Siddhartha attained Enlightenment, following Sunday’s blast. Obviously, there is nothing in common between a holy shrine and a university in an unholy mess, but that report reminded us of something the Buddha said in one of his discourses with the Maha Sanga—Antho jata Bahi Jata, which roughly rendered into English means, ‘Complexities or knotty problems everywhere, inside and outside’. One cannot think of anything better than this aphorism to describe what is happening in this thrice blessed land which has had to contend with many intractable problems, both internal and external.

Universities represent only a segment of a conflict-ridden society characterised by discord and acrimony at every level. It was only a few moons ago that we witnessed a fierce clash between the Executive and the Judiciary, whose head was finally ousted controversially. The fallout of the dispute has not blown over yet. The Opposition and the government have always been at loggerheads, refusing to see eye to eye on anything. The former has even gone to the extent of holding the latter responsible for Sunday’s serial blasts at Bodh Gaya, and not to be outdone the latter might concoct a conspiracy theory in a bid to accuse the former of having had a hand in those terror attacks. Little surprise that universities are in crisis with dons and administrators at one another’s jugular!

However, the shabby treatment meted out to the FUTA and the media at the Colombo University on Thursday has left a bad taste in people’s mouths, we reckon. The university administration may try to justify its decision on technical grounds, but it is obvious that the newly appointed Vice Chancellor has begun to flex his administrative muscles as the FUTA opposed his appointment on ethical grounds and threatened not to cooperate with him. Even those who refused to buy into his opponents’ arguments against his appointment and faulted the FUTA for applying ethics selectively have, we believe, taken exception to the manner in which university teachers’ trade union is being dealt with.

The groves of academe should be an oasis of freedom and justice. If dons are not allowed to meet the press at a university, then there is something terribly wrong with that place. On the other hand, what moral right do university administrators who have no qualms about pandering to the whims and fancies of politicians with deep pockets and shallow minds have to ban meetings between teachers and media persons within university premises? Anyway, irate teachers proved that they were made of sterner stuff by addressing the media near a campus gate on Thursday. There have been several instances where they gave press conferences across the university’s barbed wire fence much to the embarrassment of university authorities.

We do not fully agree with the FUTA on its position on stern action being taken against some troublemakers in the garb of student activists. Those unruly elements have to be severely dealt with according to the law so that universities could function smoothly. But, dissent must be tolerated at seats of higher learning and freedom of expression safeguarded.

UK Listed Sri Lanka As A ‘Country Of Concern’, But Attending The CHOGM Is The Right Thing To Do – David Cameron

July 12, 2013

“I agree with much of your your analysis of the situation in Sri Lanka, including the Sri Lankan Government’s failure to make progress on accountability and reconciliation or adequately implement the recommendations of the LLRC. Because of the lack of progress on post-conflict reconciliation, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has included Sri Lanka as a ‘Country of Concern’ in its 2012 Human Rights Report. The UK has also co-sponsored the Human Rights Council Resolution on Sri Lanka which passed with increased support in March 2013.” The UK Prime Minister David Cameron wrote to Lee Scott of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT).

David Cameron

In response to the letter from APPGT Cameron said; “ I appreciate the reasons why you and the members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils disagree with my decision to attend and I’m pleased to learn that you had the opportunity to discuss this with Alistair Burt.

However, I believe that attending the summit is the right thing to do forCommonwealth and the best way to draw the world’s attention to the situation in Sri Lanka.”

We publish below the letter in full;                  Read More

Commonwealth Spokesperson Clarification on Media Accreditation for CHOGM 2013

11 July 2013

Official Spokesperson and Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Mr Richard Uku, today issued clarification regarding media accreditation for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka this November.

The Commonwealth Secretariat in London welcomes applications from all journalists seeking media accreditation to the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka this November.

The following are part of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s standard guidelines for media accreditation at all CHOGMs.

All media participating in CHOGM 2013 must be accredited in order to access and use the media facilities within the Media Centre, located at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) complex.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is working with the CHOGM 2013 Taskforce in Sri Lanka to address concerns raised in the media about accreditation.

As is customary, the Commonwealth Secretariat is the final authority for all international media accreditation for CHOGM. The accreditation process will be carried out in collaboration with the host country authorities, who are responsible for processing and approving visa applications by accredited media.

Media accreditation is open to all bona fide journalists, including online media practitioners, broadcasters, photographers, film and television camera crews and technicians. Every effort will be made to facilitate attendance and coverage of CHOGM by the media.

Media who wish to obtain CHOGM 2013 accreditation can register electronically through the CHOGM 2013 website at http://www.chogm2013.lk/. Please see the CHOGM 2013 Note on Media Arrangements.

Applicants that need to apply for a Sri Lankan visa to attend CHOGM 2013 will be provided with an Accreditation Certificate via email which, they must include as part of their application for an ‘electronic’ or ‘paper based’ Visitor Visa.

Journalists are encouraged to submit applications for accreditation no later than 25 October 2013. Media accreditation passes can be collected on arrival in Colombo from the Accreditation Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport or at the Media Centre at BMICH, upon presentation of a valid ID and accreditation certificate.

Applications for accreditation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Accreditation can be denied or withdrawn if it is established that an applicant does not have bona fide media credentials.

International media accreditation enquiries should be directed to:

Ms Victoria Holdsworth 
CHOGM 2013 Media Accreditation (International) 
Communications and Public Affairs Division 
Commonwealth Secretariat 
Marlborough House, Pall Mall 
London SW1Y 5HX 
United Kingdom 
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7747 6383 
E-mail: chogm@commonwealth.int

Accreditation enquiries from media organisations based in Sri Lanka should be directed to:

Mr Ali Hassan 
CHOGM 2013 Media Accreditation Officer (Local) 
Assistant Director 
Department of Government Information 
No. 163, Kirulapone Avenue 
Polhengoda, Colombo 05 
Sri Lanka 
Office: +94 11 5335101 
Mobile: +94 773184272 
Email: chogm2013media@mea.gov.lk

On Commonwealth Peoples Forum

By Salma Yusuf -July 12, 2013

Salma Yusuf

CHOGM 2013: Commonwealth Peoples Forum set to connect Sri Lanka with Global Conversation on post – 2015 Development‏

Salma Yusuf in conversation with Vijay Krishnarayan, Director, Commonwealth Foundation on the upcoming Commonwealth Peoples Forum to be held at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit

By Salma Yusuf -

Could you share with us the objectives of your visit to the country?

Delegates of the Commonwealth Foundation arrived in Sri Lanka for three specific reasons. Firstly, to work with Sri Lankan counterparts to review logistical and technical arrangements for the Commonwealth Peoples Forum which is scheduled to be held in Hikkaduwa from 10 through 14 November 2013.

Secondly, to raise the profile of preparations and activities undertaken in preparation of the summit among Sri Lankan civil society organizations and other partners including government departments. Thirdly, and perhaps most important, we have used the visit to develop a programme for the Commonwealth Peoples Forum that is relevant to issues raised by civil society organizations across the Commonwealth  and highlights those raised by Sri Lankan civil society organizations as well.

What is the Commonwealth Peoples Forum?

It is the largest gathering of civil society organizations on the calendar of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Foundation has a mandate to bring civic voice to the Commonwealth Ministerial processes.

What would that mean in practice?                          Read More

13th Amendment to the Constitution (Devolution of Power) and positions of the Political Parties

13th Amendment to the Constitution (Devolution of Power) and positions of the Political Parties

Sri Lanka Brief Position Paper/July 2013

The Background-Friday, July 12, 2013

The provincial council (PC) system in Sri Lanka was established as a result the Indo-Lanka Accord concluded between Sri Lanka and India on July 29, 1987. The 13th Amendment and the provincial council system were conceived as a political solution to the ethnic conflict. Under the amendment Northern and Eastern Provinces were amalgamated. The PC system was the crux of the Accord. On 14 November 1987 the Sri Lankan Parliament passed the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution of 1978 and the Provincial Councils Act No 42 of 1987, establishing provincial councils. Nine provincial councils were created by order on 3 February 1988.

13th Amendment to the Constitution (Devolution of Power) and Positions of the Political Parties by nelvely

Tussle Over Senathirajah Or Wigneswaran Is TNA’s Chief Minister Candidate

By Rajah S. Rajasingham -July 12, 2013 |

A committee constituted of representatives from all 5 of the TNA’s constituent parties met today (July 11) in Colombo and broke up without agreement on who their Chief Minister candidate should be. They will meet again tomorrow, July 12, and take a decision.

Wigneswaran-with-Sambanthan

The representatives of five parties of the TNA alliance who met were R. Sambanthan, Mavai Senathirajah, M.A. Sumanthiran and Selvarajah of the Federal Party,  Mr. Sangiah and Mr. Krishnapillai of the TULF, Suresh Premachandran and Sarveswaran of the EPRLF, Selvan Adaikalanathan, Srikantha, Henry Mahenthiran and Karunakaran of the TELO and T. Siddharthan, K. Sivanesan, and Ragavan of the PLOTE.

The meeting went smoothly until nominating the candidate for the Northern Province Chief Ministership was taken up. Mr. Sambanthan wanted Justice C.V. Wigneswaran while all the others vied for Mavai Senathirajah who had already been put forward by the Jaffna Branch of the Federal Party. Mr. Sambanthan was adamant as were the others. Hence the inconclusive discussion.                             Read More 

PRESIDENT MEETS SAMPANTHAN AHEAD OF POLLS IN NORTH

July 12, 2013  

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has held talks with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on holding free and fair elections in the country’s north, days after the main Tamil party skipped a key parliamentary panel meet on devolving power to provinces.

The TNA’s leader R. Sampanthan met with Rajapaksa yesterday and discussed holding free and fair elections in the region, a statement from the TNA said.

“The President expressed his desire to solve all outstanding issues relating to the National question,” it said.

The TNA leader also reiterated the party’s commitment to evolution of an acceptable, workable and durable political solution within the framework of a united undivided country, the statement added.

Other matters related to resettling people on the land earlier occupied by them, minimising the military presence and release of political prisoners also came up during the talks, PTI reported.

The meeting came on a day the Commissioner of Elections commenced the process of accepting nomination papers for the much awaited elections in the former Tamil Tigers-held areas after a gap of 25 years.

The nominations for the September elections will close on August 1.

“No Help From India in International Arena if Sri Lanka Fails to Implement 13th Amendment in Full ”-Manmohan’s Message to Mahinda Via Menon

“No Help From India in International Arena if Sri Lanka Fails to Implement 13th Amendment in Full ”-Manmohan’s Message to Mahinda Via Menon

D.B.S.Jeyaraj-Thursday, July 11, 2013

A firm “no nonsense”message from Indian Prime minister Manmohan Singh has been conveyed to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Indian national security adviser Shiv Shankar Menon during his breakfast meeting with the Sri Lankan head of state on Tuesday July 9th 2013.

According to informed Indian sources the message from Manmohan Singh had indicated that New Delhi expected President Rajapaksa to implement pledges made to India and the International community about implementing the Thirteenth Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution and also go beyond its framework to provide enhanced meaningful devolution to the existing Provincial Councils scheme.

“No Help From India in International Arena if Sri Lanka Fails to Implement 13th Amendment in Full ”-Manmoha... by nelvely