Thursday, September 5, 2013

VIDEO: GOVT’S ACTIONS IN THE PAST 4 YEARS PUSHED TAMILS TOWARDS RACIST IDEOLOGY - JVP

September 5, 2013

The government’s actions in the past four years have pushed the Tamil people into the racist ideology that they need a separate government instead of accepting the present one as their own, the JVP stated.

Speaking at a press conference today (September 5), JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that Prabhakaran was able to recruit suicide bombers and amass such a strong force by spreading the ideology that the government in Colombo should be replaced by a Tamil one. Dissanayake claimed that at that time there were those who accepted this ideology and there were those that did not.

However, he added that the government’s actions in the past four years had pushed Tamils towards sharing a similar ideology.

pointed out that the people have realized that to get anything from the government, they have to go to the UN or western countries. He claimed that the government took the police service out of the purview of the Ministry of Denfence, despite the JVP calling for it previously, only with the visit of the UN Human Rights Commissioner. The demilitarization of the North is another example that he cited.

He further stated that the people of the North believe that the elections are a direct result of pressure on the government from India. Dissanayake believes that the people have begun to think that foreign powers need to intervene if this government is to give them what they ask for.

He added that the government has pushed the people towards racist party politics as well.

The MP also spoke about the TNA election manifesto which he claimed was aiming at a separatist agenda through its clear attempt to segregate the Tamil community from the others in the country and suggesting that the Northern and Eastern Provinces should be merged.

Speaking to the Tamil community of the country, he stated that this was not the answer to their problems.

MP Dissanayake added that it was important to establish that all races living in Sri Lanka, namely Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim, should have the same rights throughout the whole country regardless of whether their people originated from another country, came to the country as merchants or by way of invasion.

SRI LANKA: The need for public engagement and vigilance to ensure free and fair elections

September 4, 2013

A delegation of the Friday Forum met recently with the Commissioner of Elections Mr Mahinda Deshapriya with a view to initiating a constructive exchange of views on measures taken by him to ensure free and fair provincial elections. Mr. Deshapriya emphasised the responsibilities of the public and the voters in these elections to be vigilant and to make their own contribution to a free and fair electoral process. In light of these discussions and the Friday Forum's commitment to democratic and free and fair elections, we wish to place the following concerns before the public

SRI LANKA the Need for Public Engagement and Vigilance to Ensure Free and Fair Elections by nelvely

VIDEO: PILLAY FAILED TO MENTION THAT SRI LANKA HAS BECOME A ‘KLEPTOCRACY’ - UNP

September 5, 2013

The United National Party today stated that the UN human rights chief Navi Pillay had failed to mention, in her statement prior to leaving the country, that Sri Lanka is not only an increasingly authoritarian state but has now become a “fully fledged kleptocracy”.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at the end of a week-long visit, speaking at a press conference on Saturday (Aug 31) said that she was “deeply concerned that Sri Lanka despite the opportunity provided by the end of the war to construct a new vibrant, all embracing state, is showing signs of heading in and increasingly authoritarian direction.”

Referring to this statement, UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera stated that the High Commissioner had left out one crucial aspect in her statement that “Sri Lanka is not only an increasingly authoritarian state but Sri Lanka has now become a fully fledged kleptocracy.”

The incumbent Government of Sri Lanka has become one of the most corrupt government’s in the entire world, he told reporters in Colombo today.

The people of the country have lost their right to live peacefully due to this corruption, the UNP Communications chief said, adding, that even the great development the government continues to boast about is a development of “commissions.”

He charged that high-ranking state officials are even extracting commissions from the stones used to lay pavements on the roadside in Colombo. “This is the bitter truth.”

Gota’s Remarks Viewed As Endorsement Of Extremist Stand Against Muslims: Muslim Council

September 5, 2013

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka issued a strong rebuttal to a keynote speech by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa saying his remarks had been viewed as an endorsement by extremist elements in their stand against the Muslim community. The Muslim Council expressed the deep disappointment and concern of the Muslim community regarding the address in an open letter to the Defence Secretary. The Bodu Bala Sena issued a media release on Tuesday soon after the keynote address by the Defence Secretary, claiming he had made courageous remarks about Muslim extremism and acknowledging it as a major victory in their ideological struggle.

Following is the full text of the Muslim Council letter to Gotabaya Rajapaksa:

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence

September 4th 2013

Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Secretary

Ministry of Defense and Urban Development

15/ 5, Baladaksha Mawatha,

Colombo 03

Dear Sir,

We, the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) wish to bring to your kind attention the Muslim community’s deep disappointment and concern at media reports of your speech at the Defense seminar on September 3rd 2013. As you are well aware, the Muslim community has without any hesitation stood by the Sri Lankan State throughout the 30 year conflict and has never resorted to any form of armed resistance.

The extremist elements that have been propagating hatred against the minority communities have taken your statement as an endorsement of the State’s approval of their stand on extremism amongst the Muslim community.

We wish to bring to your kind attention that there exists no form of armed or other forms of extremism amongst the Muslim community. Your concerns about extremists using Sri Lanka as a transit point may be valid, but we would like to assure you that the Muslim community would never allow extremists from other countries to operate under cover of the Muslim community in Sri Lanka.

The intelligence units under your command have performed remarkably well during and after the war to ensure that Sri Lanka continues to maintain the hard earned peace. We welcome any investigation by the law enforcement agencies and take appropriate action against any persons who may violate the laws of the land or support any form of armed extremism irrespective of their religious beliefs.

We would like to assure you of the Muslim community’s unstinted commitment to the peace and prosperity of our beloved motherland and would greatly appreciate your kind clarification of your statement.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

N.M. Ameen – President

Attempt to shoot “robbers” who broke into Mandana’s residence

Thursday, 05 September 2013

It is reliably learnt that there is a

plan to assassinate the four surviving assailants who broke in to the residence of The Sunday Leader journalists Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema and Romesh Abeywickrema in Bambalapitiya on August 24th.

The police have taken one of the suspects, Pol Ravi to his residence in Avissawella on the 2nd in order to recover a bomb that was hidden there. In the past, several suspects were killed by the police in self defence when they are taken to find hidden weapons and bombs that are in turn used to attack the police.
However, when Pol Ravi was taken to his residence, the police were unable to carry out its assassination plot due to the crowds from the village who thronged to the house after hearing Ravi was brought home. The police had to finally leave the residence with Pol Ravi saying they were unable to find the bomb. The suspects are to be killed after they had said they would reveal the persons who had assigned them the task of breaking into Mandana’s residence. We previously reported that the families of the suspects were facing threats.

The Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe making a special statement in parliament about the incident has asked for the progress of the investigation into the break-in at Mandana’s residence. He has asked for the name and details of the suspect who was killed and the others in custody. He has also said that even over a week has lapsed since the incident, the police have failed to hold an identification parade.

Wickremesinghe has said that the suspects had gone through files belonging to Mandana and Romesh for over two hours.

However, it is now evident that the Defence Ministry is now trying to cover up the incident saying it is an ordinary robbery and is also looking at assassinating the assailants.

Authorized scandal by central bank..!

(Lanka-e-News-04.Sep.2013, 11.30PM) Sri Lanka’s biggest scandal started with the fallout of Ceylinco group back in 2008 when the authorities arrested the chairmen of Ceylinco Lalith Kothalawela and his clan over a multibillion scandal.

Authorized Scandal by Central Bank..! by nelvely

'China's influence on Sri Lanka a matter of concern for India'

Thursday, September 5, 2013,
Noida, Sept 5: China's growing influence on Sri Lanka, which is India's back gate, should be a matter a concern for the country, research professor in the Centre for Policy Research Bharat Karnad said on Sept 4. Addressing the students of Amity University, Karnad said India needs to become militarily pro-active and be assertive with not only Pakistan but with China as well. "India, which should be cautious of China, remains too much preoccupied with other neighbouring countries including Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan," the research professor in National Security Studies said. Karnad was delivering a lecture on 'Geopolitics and Indian Strategy' at the Amity Law School in Noida. PTI

Death threats on victims’ lawyer

By E.S. Thilakaratne -

Thursday, 05 Sep 2013

Nuwara Eliya Police have arrested five members of a violent gang on suspicion of issuing death threats to a lawyer representing the children, who are victims of sexual abuse allegedly committed by Nuwara Eliya Deputy Mayor, Tissa Seneviratne.

The gang had entered the house of the lawyer, Sisira Kumara, on the night of 1 September, and threatened him with death, brandishing a weapon. They have also warned him not to appear on behalf of the children in the case against the Deputy Mayor and had left the house, police said.

Nuwara Eliya Police, which conducted investigations, had arrested the five suspects on 2 September.

Following further investigations, the suspects were produced before the Nuwara Eliya District Court, and were remanded until 9 September by District Judge, Sampath Hewawasam.

Nuwara Eliya Police are conducting further investigations.

The True Hidden Story of CIFL

(Lanka-e-News-04.Sep.2013, 11.30PM)

1) When Deepthi Perera collapsed industrial finance in 2010 why was no action taken if action was taken he would not have done the same thing to CIFL Mr Ekanayake
2) What was the action taken when he had a unauthorized finance company CIFL asset management?
3) What was the action taken when he gave false certificates to asset management depositors(he gave blue certificates CIFL certificates but in reality they were asset management certificates)?
4) Why was Deepthi Perera approved to run CIFL when he siphoned money from Industrial finance Mr Ekanayake?
5) Homagame housing scheme (where the money was siphoned off)the housing scheme was not a hidden secret it was started in 2006 from CIFL money. From the inception 30million rupees was stated as received as interests from aspic to cifl in the reports cifl published upto 2012 CBSL could have easily monitored it in the balance sheet. they could have easily known that the money was not coming in to CIFL.For them to overlook this for six long years surely is not a mistake. The overpaid nonbank finance division could be forgiven if it was only overlooked for a year or two For six long years its unbelievably pathetic even for you Mr Ekanayake
6) Why did you renew the CIFL license yearly for six long years Mr Ekanayake
7) Why the special harassment to Cifl Mr Ekanayake? What was the reason to not approve Asitha Koralage when the CIFL wanted him as the CEO to run its operation in may 2012
8) What was the reason not to approve Chandana desilva when cifl wanted him as the CEO to run its operation in December 2012 and again in February 2013 you and I know why Mr Ekanayake surely its not fit and proper its ETI
9) When all other finance companies were taking the CIFL managers for higher salaries why didn’t you take any action MR Ekanayaka when the CIFL management repeatedly complained to you? remember prime grameen Mr Ekanayake when you sent a circular to all other finance companies prohibiting its staff from joining its competitors
10) What was the action taken when CIFL managers went and sold the CIFL deposit base to its competitors Mr Ekanayake
11) What was the action you took when they(THE FORMER MANAGERS) were pulling out depositors from CIFL to their present finance companies(CIFL LOST NEERLY 300 MILLION WORTH DEPOSITS DUE TO THIS IRREGULARITY)
12) Why were you all in such a hurry to sack the CEO Jayantha Wickramaratne without having a replacement for him, without having a contingency plan for two long months CIFL did not have a CEO and you know Mr Ekanayake the outcome of not having a CEO For two long months in this highly competitive cutthroat business of finance
13) Why did you violate the finance act and approve Roscoe Maloney who didn’t have a bank guaranty who didn’t invest a cent to CIFL from may 2013 he brought the liability of CIFL high which of course helped your agenda to bring down CIFL and sell it to a song
14) What was the action taken against him and his wife?
15) Why wasn’t his Passport impounded as you promised the association you would do? Why was he allowed to escape so freely?

Temples get cement due to Wayamba elections

Details: Created On Thursday, 05 September 2013 06:08; Category: General

A powerful government minister has taken steps to provide between 50 and 100 cement bags to the less developed temples in Korala Hatha in Kurunegala.

The Consumer Affairs Authority raided a stock of expired cement bags a few months back and the raid was provided wide media publicity.

This stock of expired cement bags are now in 100 temples in Kurunegala District.
There are now doubts over the strength and durability of the structures that would be put up using this cement stock.

It would finally be the innocent devotees who would have to pay the price.

The main of distributing this expired stock of cement among the temples is to get the support of the chief incumbents of these temples during the North Western Provincial Council elections.

The relevant minister and his secretary are now in the process of making telephone calls to the temples in Kurunegala asking the chief incumbents to support the candidature of the minister’s son who is contesting at the forthcoming election.

However, the chief priests of the temples have said that they would not have even accepted a glass of water from this Minister if they had known the outcome of the donation. These monks now refer to this minister as the Cement Minister.

Kendara Sumane engaged in a fuel fraud

Details: Created On Thursday, 05 September 2013 06:11; Category: General

Working Director of the National Savings Bank (NSB), Sumanadasa Thilak Abeygunawardena has reportedly committed a fraud where his fuel allowance is concerned.

The NSB has provided a brand new luxury Hyundai vehicle bearing number KV 0385 for his use. He was appointed to the position without any qualifications merely because he read horoscopes and conducted various religious rituals.

Thilak Abeygunawardena has taken over Rs. 100,000 on a monthly basis for this vehicle by providing fake fuel bills to the bank. It is therefore reported that Sumanadasa Thilak Abeygunawardena had taken over Rs. 50 lakhs from the NSB in this irregular manner. Sources from the bank say that Kendara Sumane (Horoscope Sumane) is now seeking political help instead of divine help to get out of the mess he has created for himself.

Pillai Visit – Or How Bottom Fell Hells Narrative

September 5, 2013

By Rajpal Abeynayake - The state run Daily News Editorial - Thursday, September 5, 2013

Rajpal Abeynayake

The cacophonous song and dance that’s made about the alleged governance issues, the human rights deficit and the democracy deficit so-called of the government, is marked by the fact that people have forgotten the antecedents of this issue that once more gained some momentary play during the visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillai.

Consider Pillai’s visit itself. She has to be thanked for her unqualified acceptance of the fact that there has been tremendous infrastructure development in the North and the East, of a very impressive order. This fact of course is now so absolutely clear that there is no argument about it. From the Julie Bishops to the French senators to the British parliamentarians, they have all said it.

What’s forgotten is the fact that this is not how it all started. Post 2009 and after the Nadikadal defeat of the LTTE, the Sri Lankan government was accused of maintaining mass internment camps that were also dubbed ‘barbed-wire concentration camps’ by interested parties that sorely wanted to carve out that first kink in a calculatedly false narrative.

Today there is nothing said about barbed wire and refugees. The dominant contrary narrative is one of achievements in resettlement, and getting the physical infrastructure in place to an extent that amazes all — detractor and neutral observer alike. Read More

The Age Of Identity

By Mervyn de Silva -September 5, 2013

Mervyn De Silva

It was just the other day that Dr Ponna Wignaraja reminded me that the ‘Lanka Guardian’ was closely associated with the United Nations University (UNU) South Asian Perspectives project from its inception. That is correct. Professor Shelton Kodikara, I recall, was the other Sri Lankan who joined this ‘task force’ on nation building together with many other distinguished representatives from the region.

Needless to add, Dr Wignaraja’s reminder was part friendly persuasion, part polite blackmail. I was asked to look back, pick up some of the main strands of the ongoing discussion, and put down something on paper – which I did, almost overnight. So much by way of explanation and apology. Anyway, it’s the next two days’ exchanges that really matter.

The coincidence was fortuitous. The ‘Lanka Guardian’ was launched in 1978, the year in which the new constitution established an all-powerful Executive Presidency. Mr J.R.Jayewardene, leader of the United National Party (UNP) had assumed office as prime minister in July 1977. The conservative UNP, the strongest party in the island, had won a massive 5/6th of the parliamentary majority, albeit on 52% of the popular vote. Using that overwhelming majority, he installed himself as the first executive president of Sri Lanka, a former British colony that since independence in 1948, had earned itself a reputation as a comparatively stable and lively democracy, with a high PQLI rating. Prof. Jeyaratnam Wilson, one of the best known Sri Lankan constitutional pundits, described the new structure as “Gaullist”. Read More

* Sri Lanka opposition leader questions government on awarding water project to Chinese company

Sept 04, Colombo:
Sri Lanka's Opposition and United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe today in parliament questioned the awarding of a contract to a Chinese company for a major water supply project.

Making a statement under a Standing Order the Opposition Leader questioned why the government decided to award the contract for the Gampaha, Attanagalle and Minuwangoda Integrated Water Supply Scheme to the China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation (CMEC).

Describing that the proposed project at a cost of US$ 229.5 million is one of the largest water supply schemes, Wickremasinghe asked why the Cabinet has revised its original cost and decided to award the contract to CMEC which built the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.

According to the Opposition Leader, the proposed Water Supply Scheme seeks to provide water to a thickly populated area in Western Province and involves the construction of the Basnagoda Reservoir.
Last year the Ministry of National Water Supply & Drainage has revised the cost estimate and changed the implementation period for the project and after that the Cabinet has approved the revised cost estimate and awarded the contract to the CMEC this year.

Wickremasinghe pointed out that the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant built by CMEC is plagued with problems failing four times since its opening and not fully operational yet.

He noted that CMEC undertakes the construction of hydro and thermal power plants and power transmission lines and has limited experience in regard to water supply schemes.

Wickremasinghe also pointed out that it is an accepted practice of the Government not to award a tender to any company which has failed to perform on an earlier contract.

The Opposition Leader therefore questioned why the government made an exception in this case and awarded such a large contract to a company which has defaulted in executing an earlier construction project.
Wickremasinghe asked the government to clarify the reason for revising the original cost estimate and the procedure followed in selecting CMEC for this contract.

He also raised the questions as to who were the other interested parties and the reason for overlooking reputed water supply contractors for the construction of such projects.
He questioned whether the government took into consideration CMEC's viability in respect of Norochcholai Power Plant.

The Opposition Leader was interested in knowing who the local agents of the CMEC were and if it is a company, the names of the Directors and whether the CMEC is permitted to sub contract the whole scheme or any major part to any other company.

He asked the government to provide a step by step progressive cost escalation of the Project.

Lankan self immolated in Geneva

[ Thursday, 05 September 2013, 12:19.34 PM GMT +05:30 ]

SriLankan immolated himself at 1.00 am in Geneva today, sources said.

We are unable to receive further information’s on this self immolation.

(2ம் இணைப்பு) ஜெனிவாவில் இலங்கையர் நள்ளிரவில் தீக்குளிப்பு? உறுதிப்படுத்திய காவல்துறை! காரணம் மார்மம்

September 05, 2013

ஜெனிவாவில் இலங்கை நாட்டவர் ஒருவர் தீக்குளித்துள்ளதாக நம்பகரமான செய்திகள் கிடைத்துள்ளன. இன்று அதிகாலை 1:00 மணியளவில் இத் துயரச்சம்பவம் நிகழ்ந்துள்ளதாக தெரியவந்துள்ளன.

இத் தகவலை உறுத்ப்படுத்தியுள்ள எமது புலனாய்வுச் செய்தியாளர் இதில் இறந்தவர் தமிழரா அல்லது சிங்களவரா என்பதனை உறுதிப்படுத்த முடியாதுள்ளதுடன் நவிப்பிள்ளையின் இலங்கை தொடர்பில் எழுப்பப்பட்ட கருத்திற்கு இலங்கைக்கு ஆதரவாக சிங்களவர் ஒருவர் தீக் குளித்ததாகவும் மற்றய கருத்து தமிழருக்கு நீதியான தீர்வுக்காக தமிழர் ஒருவர் தீக் குளித்ததாகவும் அவர் அருகில் புலிகளின் தலைவரின் படம் கிடந்ததாகவும் ஜெனிவா நகரத் தகவல்கள் தெரிவித்தாலும் இதனை உறுதிப்படுத்த ஜெனிவா காவல் துறையை தொடர்புகளை ஏற்படுத்திய நிலையில் விசாரணை முடியாமல் கருத்துக் கூற முடியாது என கூறியதுடன் இலங்கையர் ஒருவர் தீக்குளித்ததை உறுதிப் படுத்தினர்

மேலதிக விபரங்கள் காலக் கிரமத்தில் இணைக்கப்படும்

(2ம் இணைப்பு)

ஜெனிவாவில் ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் மனித உரிமை சபை அலுவலகத்திற்கு முன்னால் இருக்கும் மைதானத்தில் இன்று அதிகாலை ஒரு மணியளவில் ஒருவர் தீக்குழித்துள்ளதாக காவல்துறையினர் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர். இந்நபர் காப்பற்றப்பட்டு அவசர சிகிச்சைக்காக மருத்துவமனையில் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தெரியவருகிறது.

இவர் இலங்கை தமிழராக இருக்கலாம் என நம்பபடுகிறது. இவருக்கு அருகிலிருந்து மீட்கப்பட்ட தடயங்கள் இதனை உறுதி செய்வதாக காவல்துறை வட்டாரங்கள் தெரிவித்துள்ளன. அந்த பகுதியில் எரிந்த அடையாளங்கள் இன்று காலை காணப்பட்டன.

இவர் யார் என்பதையோ இவரிடமிருந்து மீட்கப்பட்ட தடயங்களையோ காவல்துறையினர் இதுவரை வெளியிடவில்லை. இவர் இலங்கை தமிழர் தான் என்பதையும் காவல்துறையினர் உத்தியோகபூர்வதமாக அறிவிக்கவில்லை. இதேவேளை வைத்தியசாலையில் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டவர் ஆபத்தான நிலையில் இருப்பதாக வைத்தியசாலை வட்டாரங்கள் தெரிவித்துள்ளன.

இது தொடர்பாக ஜெனிவாவில் இருக்கும் இலங்கையரைத் தொடர்பு கொண்டு கேட்ட போது இச்சம்பவம் நடைபெற்றதை உறுதிப்படுத்தினர்.

2009ஆம் ஆண்டு முருகதாஸ் தீக்குளித்த இடத்திற்கு அருகிலேயே இச்சம்பவம் இடம்பெற்றிருக்கிறது.

Video: “Never Giving Up” Buddhist Monk Chief Sangha Nayake Of India Kissing A Woman

September 5, 2013

The video below shows the Buddhist monk Dr Dodangoda Rewatha, the Chief Sangha Nayake of India who lives headquartered in Buddha Gaya, is kissing a woman.

When the monk was appointed as the Chief Sangha Nayake of India, Ven. Walpola Piyananda,
the Chief Sangha Nayake of America wrote to the Island newspaper; “Ven. Dr. Rewatha has been living in India for over forty-five years, and has served as the General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society for the past ten years. He began his Dhammaduta activities in 1973, and has been a devoted, dedicated, and courageous monk. He is known for “never giving up” no matter what the circumstances or conditions.”

Afghan woman sought in alleged $1.1m bank theft

By AP News Sep 05, 2013

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The young woman worked for three years at the Afghan bank, officials say. Then one day she vanished. As did $1.1 million.

Afghan authorities have been scrambling to track down the suspected thief and several alleged accomplices, and an international arrest warrant has been issued. Still, the revelations are another embarrassment for the banking sector in this country, which has seen corruption already unravel one major institution amid ongoing security threats from militants and criminals.

Shokofa Salehi is suspected of stealing $1.1m from an Afghan bank. Pic: AP.

Shokofa Salehi, 22, worked in the money transfer division at the headquarters of Azizi Bank, a major Afghan lender in Kabul, officials said. She disappeared around two months ago, according to Azizi chief executive Inayatullah Fazli. Investigators say she is suspected of transferring some $1.1 million out of the bank’s coffers to accounts of relatives. Besides Salehi, at least nine people are believed involved in the case.

“They are a mafia group,” Fazli alleged.

An Interpol red notice — the equivalent of an international arrest warrant — describes authorities as seeking Salehi on charges of fraud and misusing her authority. Afghan officials believe Salehi used fake documents under the name Samira to reach India after transferring the money; her current whereabouts are unknown.

Two suspects in the case have been detained in Dubai, senior Afghan police official Gen. Aminullah Amarkhail said, adding that he’s in touch with counterparts in Dubai and India for help tracking down Salehi and other suspects. He said one suspect is alleged to have spent some $850,000 of the money to invest in a tire business and possibly other ventures in Dubai.

Amarkhail said Salehi’s parents were among the suspects, and are believed to have returned to Kabul after going with her to India. Another top police official, Mohammad Zahir, said investigators were still seeking the parents.

Azizi Bank’s website says it began operating in 2006, and that it now has “a 1,500-plus strong team of employees and with a 20 percent female workforce is playing a quiet but effective role in women(‘s) emancipation and empowerment.” It also calls itself “the bank you can trust.”

As striking as it is, Salehi’s alleged pilfering pales in comparison to some other examples of corruption in Afghanistan’s banking sector.

In 2010, regulators seized Kabul Bank, Afghanistan’s largest lender, amid allegations of severe levels of graft. Its near-collapse and subsequent bailout represented more than 5 percent of Afghanistan’s gross domestic product, making it one of the largest banking failures in the world in relative terms.

An independent report described Kabul Bank as being run like a Ponzi scheme. Investigators said some $861 million in fraudulent loans had disappeared into the pockets of associates of the men behind the bank.

Earlier this year, an Afghan tribunal sentenced two top Kabul Bank executives to five years in prison for misappropriating funds. Critics said the punishments were far too light and raised questions about President Hamid Karzai’s commitment to rooting out corruption.

On Tuesday, Afghanistan announced it was trying once again to privatize what it had salvaged of the bank, which is now called New Kabul Bank.

Banks in Afghanistan have also been targeted by Taliban militants and criminal gangs.

Not only are they prime targets for people seeking to steal money, they also are gathering places for many government employees seeking to make deposits or cash their paychecks, thus making them attractive to suicide bombers.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Manifesto For The Northern Provincial Council

By S.Sivathasan -September 5, 2013 |

S.Sivathasan

I would have wished to see a Manifesto along the following lines.

Preamble

The Northern Provincial Council will hold as sacred and inviolable, the rights and entitlements of all ethnicities in the Province. This enduring principle shall guide and direct the Council’s policies and approaches. The ideal, that the people of the Northern Province shall have no less freedom than the rest of the country, will be deemed the fount for national harmony. The Council shall strive to foster it.

Sovereignty lies with you the people and we seek your mandate for the governance we envisage in the Northern Province. We set out our proposals in the Manifesto, with total transparency and commit ourselves to realizing them with your endorsement and support.

The Call

You have made enormous sacrifices for freedom with a view to providing a good life for generations to come. They have sustained our spirit and strengthened the resolve to build on your collective contribution.

The Tamil leadership was unrelenting in its labors for an elected Provincial Council. It was reinforced by the resurgence of Tamil Nationalism in Tamil Nadu and the strong support of the Indian Government. The time has come for the Provincial Council to be elected by you in September.

With a decisive mandate from you the Tamil National Alliance will seize the opportunity to make the Provincial Council an effective instrument of devolution. We shall work towards welding the Tamil community here and abroad and make all efforts for substantial power and finances to be vested in it. The need for an impressive victory will be clear to you for realizing such a target.

Scope of the Provincial Council

“Legislation without Representation” aptly describes the 13^th Amendment to the Constitution. “Taxation without Representation” was revolting to the American Colonies, more than two centuries ago. Lack of parliamentary representation for four years preceding the Amendment to confer devolution was equally revolting to all Tamils.

With the mandate we obtain from you, our principal task will be to widen the scope of devolution and to make the Provincial Council really powerful.