Moral Power Is A Corrective To Bad Government

By Dr Jehan Perera -Monday, July 22, 2013

The continued leaching of the opposition’s support base can be seen in two of the three provinces in which provincial council elections are scheduled to be held.  In both the Central and North Western provinces local level members of the opposition parties are lining up to obtain membership in the ruling power.  They are presumably not anticipating an opposition victory, and are hoping by their crossover to play a role in the new provincial administrations.  They have seen their seniors in their political parties defect to the government and benefit tremendously, and wish to do the same.

However, in the Northern Province the situation is significantly different.  The announcement that former Supreme Court judge C. V. Wigneswaran will be the TNA’s chief ministerial candidate has given the moral upper hand to the opposition.  Unlike the government which is even resorting to former LTTE leaders to join its candidate list, the TNA has selected a candidate who has a non-violent and service-oriented past.  The future administration of the Northern Province may be able to set an example by having higher standards of politicians that will persuade the rest of the country to emulate them.

Undoubtedly it will be a challenge for the opposition to be able to find chief ministerial candidates and other candidates of comparable quality to uplift local level politics and also national politics.  Those of education and refinement seem to have fled from politics.  At the present time the stock of politicians, especially those at the local level, but also those at the national level, is abysmally low.  They are being accused of various crimes, and on rare occasions convicted of them too, although the breakdown of independent institutions and the system of checks and balances does not contribute to the process of accountability on the government side.

The frustration at the opposition’s inability to get the better of the government at elections is also continuing to grow amongst those thinking and progressive sections of the population who see the need for a new government to meet their expectations.  This was evident at a discussion organized by UNP Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne which took place at the Institute of Chartered Accountants.  The hall was filled with younger professionals and businesspersons who represent the cutting edge of the country’s economic and political future.

Undoubtedly the key attraction at the discussion was UNP and opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who showed a gutsy readiness to face a disappointed constituency at an open forum.  He took the opportunity to explain the outlines of his party’s proposals for a new constitution for the country.  The UNP has been taking this set of proposals to leaders in other sectors, such as the religious communities, to get their blessings.  However, what generated the most amount of impassioned discussion was the issue of the opposition’s inability to win elections.

Some of those in the audience were openly critical of the opposition leader.  A comparison was drawn to the CEO of a company that is continuously making losses, and whether the Board of Directors and shareholders would long tolerate this situation.

To his credit, the opposition leader did not try and suppress the critics, but even invited them to have their say, which is not a common feature in Sri Lanka today due to the intolerance of dissent by the ruling politicians.   A truly democratic society, as against a nominal democracy, is one in which the leaders encourage their people to speak freely and express themselves, even critically, for the higher truth to emerge without suppressing them.

One of the panelists at the discussion was university lecturer Dr Deepika Udagama, and she pointed out that civil society and the people in general could not distance themselves from the problems facing the country, for it was they who voted for the politicians who lead the country.  The problem is that the government has been able to use the untrammelled power of the executive presidency to buy over, co-opt, intimidate, or eliminate those who are in the political opposition.  It is therefore able to repeatedly demonstrate its ability to win elections, as it plans to do in the forthcoming provincial elections also on that same rough and tough basis.
However, there remains cause for hope.

Amongst the audience and the large number of critics of the weakness of the opposition, were outspoken young people with a high level of education, many of them foreign educated, but still who had chosen to return to their motherland.  They showed the potential to be leaders themselves. They were not afraid to challenge the opposition leader at the forum discussion.  But the greater challenge to them is to find ways to express their concerns to the government and not only to the opposition.  The weakness of the opposition does not in any way justify the misgovernance of the government.

At the present time the opposition cannot match the government in regard to the material power that can be thrown into the political arena.  However, the government is sorely lacking in the moral power that comes from adhering in truth and spirit to the religious teachings that Sri Lankans as a South Asian people have an affinity towards.  It is said that Mahatma Gandhi combined the spiritual symbols of Indian society with personal asceticism which made for a powerful appeal to the Indian psyche.  After retiring from the judiciary, Justice Wigneswaran has steeped himself in the Hindu religious tradition, so much so that he became a representative of the Hindu religion at multi religious functions.

Religion is the repository of the highest values of all civilizations, and those who live by those values (as opposed to pretentiously wearing robes) need to be empowered.  It is perhaps no coincidence that Eran Wickramaratne who organized the open discussion, at which the UNP leadership was challenged, is the son of a Christian pastor.

There will surely be others from the different religious traditions, not least Buddhism which produced an Emperor Asoka and a King Dutugemunu, both of whom repented after years of warfare, and devoted the rest of their lives to serving their fellow beings.  If chastised by the people at the forthcoming elections, government leaders may follow suit.

Sri Lankan issue being used by TN for political gains, says Justice CV Wigneswaran

Padma Rao Sundarji, Hindustan Times   July 19, 2013

Justice CV Wigneswaran, chief ministerial nominee of Sri Lanka's oppositional Tamil National Alliance (TNA) for the forthcoming northern province elections spoke to Padma Rao Sundarji. Here's the exclusive interview:

Sri Lankan Issue Being Used by TN for Political Gains, Says Justice CV Wigneswaran by nelvely

SRI LANKA: The day when the rule of law system collapsed

July 22, 2013

What happened on July 23, 1983 was not the event of a single day in history. The impact of that day lives on and with each passing year the situation of the rule of law in the country has become worse.

The 1978 Constitution was quite incompatible with the rule of law and democracy. Since then there have been several events which challenged the law as well as the traditions that had prevailed up until then. There were the cases brought against Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the former Prime Minister and her close collaborators. There were constant physical attacks on opposition political meetings, including the physical attack on the late Dr. Ediriweera Sarachchandra, one of the county's best known intellectuals. Then there were the constant attacks on the trade union movement which culminated in the sacking of all the workers who participated in the nation-wide general strike of 1980. Relentless attacks on the freedom of the press continued. And then there was the 1982 referendum to prevent the election for the parliament so as to allow the Members of Parliament elected in 1977 to continue for another term of six years.

SRI LANKA the Day When the Rule of Law System Collapsed by nelvely

Unpaid bill prevents mother from breastfeeding newborn baby – health union

J’pura hospital chief denies allegation

By Don Asoka Wijewardena-July 21, 2013

A mother who delivered a baby in Ward No: 9 at the Sri Jayewardenepura hospital was not allowed to breast feed her baby who was transferred to the neo-natal intensive care unit for congenital heart defects as she had not settled the hospital bill, All Ceylon Health Services Union (ACHSU) General Secretary alleged.

Gamini Kumarasinghe said that a 25-year-old mother from Thalawatugoda had been admitted to the Jayewardenepura hospital for vomiting as she was pregnant. She had delivered a baby after a successful caesarean operation. The doctors had diagnosed that the baby was suffering from congenial heart troubles and was transferred to the NICU. But the mother was not allowed to go to the NICU to breast feed the baby who was in need of mother’s milk.

He said that the reason for not allowing the mother to visit the NICU was that she had not settled the hospital bill. Although she had paid Rs.65,000 on admission the authorities had refused to allow her to visit the NICU due to an outstanding bill..

Jayawardenapura Hospital Director Dr. S.Gamage, when contacted for comment, denied the allegations leveled against hospital authorities. He said he was aware of the case. The woman admitted for vomiting had subsequently developed labour pains and undergone a caesarian operation. She had delivered a baby with some congenital heart defect. The baby had been transferred to the NICU, but the authorities had never refused to allow the mother to visit the baby in the NICU, Dr. Gamage said, adding, however, that the Jayewardenepura hospital was not a charity organization. The patients admitted to the hospital were required to pay some fees. When the hospital authorities asked the husband of the woman to settle the bill, he had said that he was a carpenter and did not have money to settle the bill, though the woman said her husband could afford to settle the bills.

Dr. Gamage said that the woman owed Rs. 120,000 to the hospital. But he had asked the authorities to discharge the mother though the full amount had not been settled. "What is happening in the hospital is that some employees are trying to take me for a ride. They tell the patients not to settle bills in full as the Director is a kind-hearted person. These employees get money from the patients on the sly for offering such advice at the expense of the institution. On several occasions some employees have come to me saying that some patients were his or her relatives, but inquiries proved that they were not related."

Police Powers Of The Provincial Councils

By R.M.B Senanayake -July 22, 2013 

R.M.B. Senanayake

The Minister of Economic Development has said that the Government will not agree to the devolution of Police powers to the Provincial Council because it could lead to the creation of a separate Tamil Army.

According to the 13^th Amendment only limited Police powers are given to the Provincial Council.

Here is the relevant clause in Appendix 1

APPENDIX I

Law And Order

1. The subject devolved shall be described as follows: -

Public Order and the exercise of Police powers as set out in this Appendix within the Province, but not including-

(a)    national defence ;

(b)    national security ; and

(c)     the use of any armed forces or any other forces under the control of the Government of Sri Lanka in aid of the civil power.

Doesn’t 1(c) prohibit the creation of any such Army legally? If attempts are made to create such an army illegally doesn’t the Central Government have enough power under 1 (a) and (b) of this Appendix.

There is also the power given to the Central Government to declare an Emergency under (3A).In the NINTH SCHEDULE to the Constitution given below:

LIST I

(Provincial Council List)

1. Police and Public order. – Public order and the exercise of police powers, to the extent set out in Appendix I, within the Province, but not including National Defence, National Security and the use of any armed forces or any other forces under the control of the Government of Sri Lanka in aid of the civil power, and not including the city of Colombo, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, and their environs the limits of which shall be specified by the President by Order published in the Gazette.

“(3A) Nothing in the preceding provisions of this Constitution shall be deemed to prohibit the making of emergency regulations. under the Public Security Ordinance or the law for the time being in force relating to public security, with respect to any matter set out in the Ninth Schedule or having the effect of overriding. amending or suspending the operation of a statute made by a provincial Council.”.

The Provincial Councils are given only limited powers and the following crimes can be investigated only by the National Police as set out in the Schedule below

SCHEDULE                        Read More

The Army venturing into civilian domain

2013-07-22 

The retiring Army Commander, General Jagath Jayasuriya, is reported to have told a section of the media that the Army is planning to enter profit-making ventures and that Cabinet approval is being awaited to start these activities. The General is reported to have specifically mentioned construction works as an area that the Army could handle profitably. He had cited countries such as Russia and China where the State gets involved in such activities by using the armed forces.

As mentioned by the General, the Army may be able to execute projects with profit, because unlike the odds faced by civilian contractors, the Army would not have many overheads to meet, with almost all heavy equipment already in its possession and paid personnel too readily available. Of course one needs to agree that in projects handled by the Army, there would be strict military discipline with no delays in their execution, which is absent when projects are handled by civilian contractors who have to discipline construction workers to get the best of the wages paid to them and also make a profit.

But the question is, is it ethical for the Army, which has all resources at its command, and personnel who have to be paid anyway, to bid for construction projects that are normally won through competitive bids and executed by civilian contractors? In instances where international tenders are called for heavy construction work, such as overhead bridges and so on, foreign construction firms based in Sri Lanka tender for the same, and execute the project using renowned local construction contractors.

There are instances, especially during a calamity when the Army is brought in, to render emergency relief – that is to repair the damage caused within the shortest possible time with the least inconvenience to the people, which is to be commended. But otherwise, the Army encroaching into civilian activities cannot be encouraged because it disturbs the livelihoods of civilians. It will result in thousands of civilian employees engaged by companies that undertake construction losing their employment, causing misery to them as well as their families.

Days after General Jayasuriya's announcement of the Army's intention to undertake profit-making ventures, the European Parliamentary Delegation that is currently in Sri Lanka, following a visit to the North, while commending the physical development taking place there, had pointed out that the involvement of the military in economic activities has hampered the growth of the Northern economy.

In projects handled by the Army there could be less transparency regarding procurements and so on, due to the military weight behind and the secrecy involved, whereas in contracts handled by civilian contractors, the contractor will ensure that items are bought from the cheapest source, with pilferage not taking place. That would not mean that these things are entirely absent in contracts handled by civilians, to meet which deficiencies, an additional percentage is added to the quoted figure at the time of bidding.

The General's statement that Russia and China involve their armed forces in development work looks a little intriguing as these are countries that are not democratic in the true sense of the word, though over the years they have mellowed to fall in line with modern day global requirements. Russia and China are countries spread over a large land mass with huge populations and huge armies.

They are highly industrialized, with the State spreading its tentacles into every sphere of activity. They are powerful and have a say in global affairs. The discouraging factor however, is that these countries do not tolerate dissent.
But Sri Lanka is an acclaimed democracy, enlightened by four great religions, where democratic traditions are highly valued, though off and on there have been moves to turn and twist it to meet the requirements of certain egoistic individuals.

To blindly follow such countries would be to lower our stature in the eyes of the democratic world.

Sri Lanka: Behind the facade of accountability and reconciliation

By JS Tissainayagam Jul 16, 2013 

Anxious to escape reprimand by the international community at the next UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions and Commonwealth heads of Government Meeting, Sri Lanka has arrested 12 persons in connection with the 2006 extrajudicial killing of five Tamil boys in Trincomalee. This however is only a façade. The government’s actual attitude to ending impunity in Sri Lanka and promoting reconciliation is evident not only in the glaring lapses in the way it is handling this case, but also in the recently-unearthed mass grave in Matale.

K.G. Kamalawathie holds portraits of her two sons as she stands at the place where her sons were said to be allegedly abducted by government security forcers on Dec. 19, 1989, in Matale, Sri Lanka, Friday, June 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lanka Behind the Facade of Accountability and Reconciliation by nelvely

Another Opportunity To Overcome 30 Years Of Mistrust

By Jehan Perera -July 22, 2013 

Jehan Perera

This week marks the 30th anniversary of the worst manifestation of inter-ethnic conflict that set Sri Lanka on an irreversible path of civil war that pitted two armies representing the state and rebels against each other.  Inter-ethnic trust and social relationships were sundered, it seemed for all time, when violent mobs went on the rampage, and the security forces of Sri Lanka stood by inactive for the most part.  As the days of that fateful week past, most of the Tamil population living in Colombo fled to welfare centres or were shipped off to the north and east where the Tamil people lived in greater numbers.  The city of Colombo resembled a war zone in which buildings and vehicles were in flames and lifeless bodies could be seen on the roadsides.  But the considerable number of hapless Tamils who were protected by their Sinhalese friends and colleagues testified to the human bonds that transcend ethnicity and continue to lead to inter-ethnic cohabitation and give hope of a Sri Lanka that is united in heart and mind and not only in territory.

As a student studying ethnic conflict even at that time, I chanced upon a mob burning Tamil-owned shops and inquired of them why they were engaging in this destruction.  One of them asked me with anger whether I did not know what the LTTE had done in Jaffna to our boys, and this was their return.  The conflation, or identification, of the Tamil people and LTTE as being one and the same in the minds of that mob, and more perniciously, in the government of that day, was evident when it failed to declare an immediate curfew to put a stop to the rampaging mobs, or order the security forces to maintain law and order.                  Read More 

Sumanthiran At His Best

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema-Monday, July 22, 2013

The speech by TNA Parliamentarian and Attorney-at-Law M.A. Sumanthiran, who opened the debate for the opposition, at Wednesday’s (8) parliamentary session was undoubtedly one of the finest speeches to be made in the House.
Sumanthiran said the bill drives the final nail into the coffin of democracy.
Objecting to the manner in which the government brought the bill before parliament, Sumanthiran said, “That itself is an indictment and an indication of the anxiety of the government to have it passed, with little or no public discussion on the matter.”
He added that the Cabinet decision to present the bill as an Urgent Bill in the national interest was laughable. He observed that the removal of the term limit on the President seeking re election would not arise at least for another four years and two months.
“Then, how can this Bill be urgent and in the national interest?” he asked.
As soon as Sumanthiran started to comment on the 18th Amendment, government members started to heckle and jeer. Some members started to shout “Kotiyek, kotiyek (Tiger, Tiger).”
Amidst the heckling Sumanthiran continued and asked the Prime Minister why the government did not listen to the wealth of advice by this country’s intelligentsia when amending the constitution.
“We registered our strong objections to the manner in which this Bill is being rushed through. There is no notice to the public and only 24 hours was given to the Supreme Court to deliver their determination. This House too had no notice of this Bill. The Cabinet of Ministers has certified that this is urgent in the national interest,” he said.
“Did the Cabinet have a copy or even a draft of this Bill? What the Cabinet certified and what was sent to the Supreme Court were too different versions and this came to light at the hearing in the Supreme Court,” he noted.
However, Sumanthiran pinpointed the government’s fears by saying, “There can be many fears. Some may be personal. But there is also the fear that if this is permitted to be discussed in public, it will be roundly rejected. There is room for such fear because the people of this country have repeatedly voted to abolish the Executive Presidency.”
“In all civilized jurisdictions that have the Executive Presidency, they have a two-term limit. They are all not less intelligent than us. It is a universal principal that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” Sumanthiran said.

UK Issues Ultimatum 

By Easwaran Rutnam-Monday, July 22, 2013

Britain has issued a virtual ultimatum to the government saying if there is insufficient progress on Sri Lanka’s own commitments, or deterioration in the human rights situation, Britain will look for a strong and unified response at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Alistair Burt had informed the British House of Commons last week that Britain continues to raise concerns about lack of progress on post-conflict reconciliation, accountability and the current human rights situation with the Government of Sri Lanka.

“We have been clear that we expect progress in both these areas and also access by media and civil society to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), as well as free, fair and peaceful Northern Provincial Council elections in September,” he had said, according to the House of Commons Hansard.

Burt said that in attending CHOGM, the British Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary will see the situation on the ground, speak with the Government of Sri Lanka, and draw international attention to either progress made or the lack of it.

“We co-sponsored the Human Rights Council Resolution on Sri Lanka which passed with increased support in March 2013. The Council will return to the issue of Sri Lanka in September and next March. If that is against the backdrop of insufficient progress on Sri Lanka’s own commitments, or deterioration in the human rights situation, we will look for a strong and unified response,” Burt warned.

Barack Obama Talks About The 13th Amendment

By Malinda Seneviratne -July 22, 2013 

Malinda Seneviratne

Meanwhile In A Parallel Universe Called Humility; Barack Obama Talks About The 13th Amendment

When Trayvon Martin (black) was shot dead by Mark Zimmerman (white) in February 2012, I said ‘If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon’.  A few days ago, when Zimmerman was found innocent of any wrongdoing, I told the nation to engage in soul searching. I said that that the jury has spoken, meaning that we have to respect the decision. Then I said, ‘Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago’.  I have searched my soul, especially about race relations.  Here’s what I found.

We talk big.  We act small.  We layer lie over truth and sprinkle glitter over it.  Then we show the magnificent fiction to a world we believe is gullible. We praise Abraham Lincoln and do multiple versions of Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech.  We think we are so clever, so classless and so free but I often wonder whether we are peasants or whether we are slaves.

Just this morning I read something from the other side of the world.  The Chair of an EU delegation to Sri Lanka, Jean Lambert, after enumerating the positives of reconstruction and democratization, opined that trust building among communities needs to be worked on.  It took me back to 1865.  That was when slavery was abolished, through the 13^th Amendment to our constitution.  When it was passed by Congress on January 13, a Trayvon Martin of that time might have smiled.  He might have cheered and felt truly free when it was ratified on December 6 the same year.                     Read More

Welikada Prison report in cold storage

By  Kusumanjalee Thilakarathna-Sunday, 21 July 2013

The Nation

The Government has failed to follow up on the report on investigations on the Welikada prison riots that killed 27 inmates on November 9 last year.A three-member committee was appointed the following day to investigate into the incident and the report was scheduled to be handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa within a period of three weeks. However, the deadline was constantly extended citing practical issues.

When contacted by The Nation, officials at the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms were unaware of the status of the report.
Speaking to The Nation, Media spokesperson for the Ministry, Iroshan Preethikumara said he did not have any information regarding the report. “I have no idea about the prison riot report. It is handled by an independent committee where the ministry cannot influence. We cannot ask or push them to hurry it,” he said adding that ‘only the committee could tell you about the current status of the report; sometimes the Secretary to the ministry might know the current status.’
Secretary to the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms, S. Withanage said he too was also unable to tell why the prison riot report is being delayed.

On November 9, 2012, prisoners rioted at Welikada prison during a search by the police Special Task Force (STF) for illegal arms and drugs. It was reported that the prisoners broke into the prison armory and started firing at the STF. At least 27 inmates were killed and several others were injured.

In May, Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms said the report on the prison riot was delayed since statements from some officers and an inmate had not been included and it would be completed as soon as those statements were included. And he said the report would be completed and handed over by the end of May.

- See more at: http://www.nation.lk/edition/news-online/item/19436-welikada-prison-report-in-cold-storage.html#sthash.V7ma5WGB.dpuf

Five make-or-break months for Rajapaksa regime

By Our Political Editor-Sunday, July 21, 2013

• National Collective gets support from Mahanayakes for abolition of PCs but world pressure forces Govt. to go ahead with polls
• Cracks within UPFA widen while UNP patches up splits; SLMC defies President to go it alone
• 
  
• BRITISH TAMIL CONSERVATIVES DINNER: Alastair Burt, Minister for Sri Lanka at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office talks to Callum Mcrae and Frances Harrison. Also in the dinner was Jonathan Miller who is not in the picture.

Aead of a summit of Commonwealth leaders later this year, two different campaigns gained momentum with equal vigour this week.

One is the preparation by the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and opposition political parties for the Northern, North Western and Central Provincial Council polls. Choosing candidates has become the primary task for them. Important among the polls is the one for the Northern Provincial Council, for the first time since the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in May 1987. Last week’s events revealed that cracks have already developed within the UPFA on the issue of fielding candidates.

The other is the on-going campaign by the National Collective to abolish the Provincial Council (PC) system. Two of its constituent partners, the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) and the Jathika Sangha Sammalenaya (JSS), called on the country’s two leading Buddhist prelates — the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Udulagama Shri Buddharakkitha Thera and the Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter Most Venerable Thibattuwawe Shri Sumangala Thera — in Kandy on Wednesday. They won their support for their campaign to abolish PCs. The ACBC delegation was led by its President Jagath Sumathipala and the JSS by it secretary, Ven. Dodangoda Sarananda Thera.                                 Read More

Pitch invader produced in UK court under different name

Fake credit card case takes new turn

Interpol issues red notice on behalf of GoSL

By shamindra Ferdinando-July 21, 2013

A British passport holder of Sri Lankan origin, Logeswaran Manimaran, 37, wanted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for fraudulently withdrawing Rs. 3,28,71,000 from the Commercial Bank and the Hatton National Bank, has been recently produced in Cardiff Magistrate’s court, Wales, under a different name.

The suspect, Manimaran Sadasaramoorthy, 42, of Mitcham, Surrey was produced before Judge Martin Brown on July 10 for invading the Swalec stadium pitch during an ICC Champions Trophy match between Sri Lanka and India on June 20. The court appearance was made in the wake of Interpol issuing a red notice on behalf of the Sri Lankan government for his arrest. Interpol has identified the suspect as a one-time resident of Polikandy, Jaffna.

Interpol acted swiftly after Colombo Chief Magistrate, Gihan Pilapitiya, on July 3 issued an open warrant for Manimaran’s arrest, following the CID informing Court that the suspect was the same person who had invaded the pitch at the Cardiff Grounds. Interpol requested anyone having information regarding Logeswaran Manimaran to contact the police.

The case comes up before the Colombo Chief Magistrate on July 30.

The CID told Court that a positive identification had been made by comparing the visuals recorded in the CCTV cameras fixed in the ATM cubicles and pictures of the suspect taken on the pitch. Sources told The Island that a tattoo on his left forearm was clearly visible in pictures taken at Swalec stadium, Cardiff, and those provided by banks. Interpol released several pictures of the suspect provided by the CID taken by CCTV cameras and one taken years ago in Sri Lanka.

According to the CID, the suspect also identified himself as Mohamed Raji.

The UK media quoted prosecutor Davod Cooke as having told Judge Brown that Sadasaramoorthy had given a false name and false date of birth upon his arrest and was later found to have "previous convictions for dishonesty, the last of which was in 2006. 

The judge gave him seven days to pay a £250 fine, £85 court costs and a £25 victim surcharge.Well informed sources told The Island that Manimaran Sadasaramoorthy hadn’t been listed on the UK electoral list. During the court sittings on July 10, there hadn’t been any reference to the suspect’s involvement in credit card fraud. Two of his associates, Ananda Ruban Kuladeepan and Balasubramanium Udayadas are held under detention orders for their involvement in the credit card fraud.

 The British media quoted Sadasaramoorthy as having said: "My dad lived in Sri Lanka in the north east and in 2009 the Sri Lankan government declared war. My father was arrested and they murdered him."

The British media described the suspect as an unemployed father of two. He pleaded guilty to a section five public order offence at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.

Sadasaramoorthy was accused, along with six other protesters, who all pleaded not guilty to the offence and were bailed out on the condition that they couldn’t attend any national or international cricket matches until their trial in September.

An eighth man admitted throwing a stone at a passing car outside the stadium, while a ninth man accused of common assault was unable to submit a plea because he could not understand the Tamil interpreter provided by the court – his case was adjourned until July 23.

Saying he was aware that ethnic Tamils had a "grievance" against the Sri Lankan government, Judge Brown asked him to instead explain why he run onto the pitch on June 20.

Six other defendants who denied public order offences are Regan Charles Kumar Balachandran, 23, of Newham, London, Sukitharshan Karthikesu, 25, of Buckhurst Hill, Essex, Thilakshan Kulasingam, 19, of Mitcham, Surrey, Kaunshanth Maheswaran, 20, of Dartford, Kent, Sivendran Nadarajah, 24, of Mitcham, Surrey and Thayalan Ratnam, 31, of Croydon.

Pursuit Of Revenge Is Not Path To Justice

By Mahesan Niranjan -July 22, 2013 

Prof Mahesan Niranjan

In our favourite bar yesterday (21 July 2013) afternoon, I was having a beer with my usual drinking partner, the Sri Lankan Tamil fellow, Sivapuranam Thevaram. “That was a horrific photograph, no?” he started the conversation. He didn’t have to be more specific. I knew instantly that he was talking about the photograph taken thirty years ago at the Borella bus station, supposedly by Atta / Raavaya employee Chandraguptha Amarasinghe. The photograph was of a naked Tamil boy surrounded by dancing thugs who, in all probability, went on to murder and burn the boy. In which order, we have no way of knowing.

Black July 83 - A Tamil boy stripped naked and later beaten to death by Sinhala youth in Boralla bustation | Photo - Chandraguptha Amarasingha

That “Black July,” has a certain effect worth mentioning here. Have you heard the story of two Englishmen shipwrecked on an uninhabited island? They never spoke to each other because they had not been properly introduced. Such an issue does not arise for Tamils of a particular age range. They start talking about which camp they spent that week in, and of their journey by ship to Kankesanthuray. So, you can appreciate why Chandraguptha’s photograph got us into spontaneous conversation.

Thevaram relates to the plight of the young man with strong emotion. “It could have been me, you know – or my brother,” he says. “I was a kilometre away from that unfortunate young chap and it was the presence of mind I had to jump off a second floor balcony that saved me. My brother came even closer escaping because he spoke fluent Sinhala,” he recalls. “Our two guardian angels were doing overtime, while that of the young boy in Chandraguptha’s photograph had gone for an early evening in.”

This easy topic of conversation centred round the year 1983 is etched deep in the minds of some people. It is now hard-wired in their hippocampi.

Read More