A trip over its own feet

APMUCH TO DO: While Sri Lanka has taken some steps towards reconciliation, which Ms Pillay noted, it still has a long way to go.

September 11, 2013

It is in Sri Lanka's own long-term interests to engage constructively with the many concerns raised by Navanethem Pillay during her recent visit there

As the U.N. Human Rights Council meets once again in Geneva this month, the portents for Sri Lanka are not promising. Later in this session (which began on September 9 and will run until September 27), U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay will make an oral presentation on Sri Lanka’s human rights situation based on her recent visit to the country. She is to make a written submission in March 2014.

Some credit

A Trip Over Its Own Feet by nelvely

Interview with Vimukthi Sahan at Paradise Road Galleries

• by Janaka Samarakoon
• - on 09/11/2013

This is an interview conducted by Janaka Samarakoon, the curator of www.cultura.lk, with the young artist Vimukthi Sahan on the occasion of his 2nd solo exhibition, now on at the Paradise Road Galleries, Colombo. The exhibition continues till 3rd of October 2013 and is open to the public from 10am to midnight daily.

Interview With Vimukthi Sahan at Paradise Road Galleries by nelvely

Machiavelli In Sri Lanka: A Response To Prof Carlo

 by Dr Dayan Jayatilleka

( September 11, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) In his piece on ‘Government and Ethics’ (The Island Sept 11th), Prof Carlo Fonseka debates Machiavelli with Mr RMB Senanayake. In it he makes a kind of gently remonstrative reference to me as follows:

“I appealed to the most erudite political scientist I know, Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka through the columns of The Island (12 July). If my appeal caught his eye he ignored it perhaps on the (sensible) ground that the political education of an old medical fogey is not one of his priorities. Fortunately, illuminating insights into the problem came from other authorities.”

Prof Fonseka does himself a disservice when he guesses at the reason for my lack of response. I was engaged at the time in serial polemics in the newspapers as part of the debate over devolution. That was however, only one reason. There was and is another, which prevents me from taking the subject seriously. More of that in a moment.

Not only was Machiavelli the founder of modern political science, he was rightly recognised by radical emancipationist thinkers such as Rousseau, Gramsci and Althusser as a republican and a progressive thinker in his era.

The sharp swerve from theology and Christian ethics that Machiavelli undertook, which was a necessary rupture from the dominant thinking of his time, resulted in a lop-sidedness which has long been corrected by theorists and practitioners who have advocated and sought a synthesis of power and virtue, of realism and idealism. I have dealt in a book-length study, with an example of such synthesis in the Jesuit educated revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro. An outstanding contemporary statement of another attempt at synthesis is contained in President Obama’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech.

My second reason is that the Carlo-RMB debate is in a sense irrelevant. There is no Machiavellianism --defined as the pursuit of enlightened self-interest of the state by the state—in practice in Sri Lankan politics today, either by the regime or the pathetic caricature of leadership provided by the alternative/aspirant.

From a political science perspective, the Machiavellian moment (and I mean that as a compliment) was during the war years and the first term of President Rajapaksa, right up to his re-election. The post-war period and the second term has seen the replacement of that Machiavellian lucidity with neoconservative ultranationalist dogma and delusion.

A Machiavellian perspective would have dictated the holding of Northern Provincial elections in 2009, while the TNA was still reeling and Colombo’s ally the EPDP would have prevailed.

Machiavellianism would have continued a process of negotiation with the TNA in order to co-opt and contain, not broken it off in high dudgeon.

Machiavellianism would not have lost the support of India, Brazil, Uruguay, Malaysia and South Africa, all of which supported Sri Lanka in May 2009.

An authentically Machiavellian perspective would identify and isolate the main enemy while winning over allies and neutralising those could not be won over. It would not engage, as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence has done, in compiling a proliferating menu of perceived threats, ranging from the West to Tamils, Muslims, Leftists, street demonstrators and websites!

Machiavellianism is hard-nosed realism. It does not confuse Sri Lanka for Israel or Pakistan. It understands that China is too far from Sri Lanka to unfurl a protective umbrella over an island on India’s doorstep. It does not dabble with atomic energy in collaboration with Pakistan, thus setting itself up as a target of a frame-up with enormously dangerous consequences.

Machiavellianism is relentlessly modern, rational and republican; no one who looks through a parochial, backward ethno-religious prism can be Machiavellian.

Vladmir Putin is Machiavellian. So is Lee Kuan Yew. A distant and faint Sri Lankan approximation would (arguably) be JR Jayewardene.

The Mickey Mouse Machiavellianism manqué of the rulers and Opposition leadership of post-war Sri Lanka is an insult to Machiavelli. That is the second reason that I had not replied to Prof Fonseka’s kind invitation.

Intelligence operatives harass freelance journalist in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 September 2013, 06:37 GMT]
Two unidentified operatives claiming to be Sri Lankan intelligence officers interrogated Senior Journalist P.A. Antony Mar in Mannaar at his residence on Tuesday, the freelance journalist has complained to SL Police Tuesday evening. The investigation was carried out in a threatening manner, the journalist told Police in his complaint. 

The so-called intelligence officers came in a motorbike to Antony Mar's residence situated on Moor Street and collected his personal details and questioned him in a threatening voice. 

Mr Antony Mar has been associated with Ilangkai Thamizh Arasuk Kadchi (ITAK) earlier. He was an ITAK candidate in an earlier election, media sources in Mannaar said.

A website dedicated to Sunil who goes on her final journey today

Details

 

Created On Wednesday, 11 September 2013 09:20

Category: General

 A website dedicated to Sunila Abeysekara, the immense woman who goes on her final journey at Godigamuwa cemetery in Maharagama today (11), has been launched by her political comrades.

We invite you to relive and share the beautiful memories and experiences you had had with her through this website.

Via this website, you will also be able to view live proceedings of the funeral of comrade Sunila.
 Enter the site here
 -This is a social responsibility effort by Nelum Yaya

FMM pays its highest tribute to Sunila Abeysekera

| by Sunil Jayasekera and Kumara Alagiyawanna

( September 11, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Free Media Movement pays its highest tribute to Sunila Abeysekera, who dedicated her entire life to the struggle for social justice and human rights. After an almost a year of fighting a cancer, finally she embarked on her last journey on 9th September 2013.

Sunila, guided by the slogan, “all human beings are inherently entitled to all human rights” , considered all struggles based on inequality, may it be based on class, cast, ethnicity or gender, as parts of one broad social movement. In short she had a holistic view on social justice.

While engaging in social activism at the grass root levels, Sunila also contributed to the world as a scholar. She communicated in written as well as spoken word both in English and Sinhala.

Sunila has been an active member of the Free Media Movement since the mid 90s. She make interventions in different ways, at multiple levels, to protect and ascertain freedom of press in Sri Lanka.

Sunila, who believed that freedom of art is an indivisible element of freedom of press, often guided FMM in this regard. She filed fundamental rights cases against the censorship at the Sri Lankan Supreme Court and take the same issues to the United Nations Human Rights Concil. We would like to state with gratitude that INFORM, Human Rights Documentation Center, an institution of which Sunila was a founding member and its executive director, always rendered a great support to FMM and continues to do so.

She was not only a social activist and a scholar; she was also an admirer of art and an artist herself. It is of no doubt that the songs she brought to life in her unique voice will last eternally.

She was not a mere liberal human rights speaker. She socially imbedded her firm dedication for press freedom with a close association of media activists and she transformed her dedication for freedom of art in to a practical bond with cultural activists.

Her unwavering opposition to a military solution to the ethnic issue was reflected in her dialogue with men and women in war affected areas at a very practical level, and also in her anti-war human rights activism.

Sunila Abeysekera’s ideological dedication was interwoven with the struggle in the streets swarming with humanity. Since her youth, over four decades she involved herself in a social movements aimed at social justice and human rights. She used her multiple skills and talents to realize this dream.

She was a person with multiple skills so that it will be impossible to fill the vacuum created by her departure. FMM is immensely fortunate to have had the opportunity to journey with a colleague like Sunila.

She left in a time when people like her are most needed.

Sunila, your voice will prevail; we salute you for your courage and commitment.

Sunila Abeysekara, 1952 - 2013

11 September 2013         

Sunila Abeysekera who died on 9 September after a long battle with cancer, was an activist and campaigner who dedicated her entire life to the struggle for social justice and human rights. Her death at the age of sixty-one is deeply mourned by friends, colleagues and associates in Sri Lanka and elsewhere, who shared her struggles and learnt much from her through several eventful years.

The Free Media Movement (FMM), one of the Sri Lankan affiliates of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has in a statement, recalled Sunila as a committed fighter who stood unswervingly by the central ethos of equality of all, irrespective of class, caste, ethnicity or gender.

“While engaging in social activism at the grass roots”, said the FMM, “Sunila also contributed to the world as a scholar. She communicated in the written as well as spoken word, both in English and Sinhala”.

Sunila was an active FMM member since the early days of the movement in the mid-1990s. She intervened at vital junctures in Sri Lanka’s war-torn history, to protect the right to free speech, and human rights in general. She was adept at working the constitutional machinery, as with a number of fundamental rights cases filed in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court, challenging press censorship and other violations of free speech.

INFORM, the civil society organisation that Sunila founded along with the Human Rights Documentation Centre, were of invaluable help to the FMM through its years of struggle for media freedom.

Sunila also was one of the founders of the Women and Media Collective and is remembered by several women in the media as the energy and inspiration behind the earliest initiatives to address issues of women’s representation and portrayal in the media in Sri Lanka. As an activist who could use a wide range of platforms, she has contributed to Sinhala theatre and film on these themes.

The IFJ joins partners and affiliates in Sri Lanka and elsewhere in paying homage to Sunila Abeysekera and a life lived by the highest standards of commitment to human rights and social justice.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0950

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific  

Boats for Indian navy undergo sea trials off Colombo

September 10, 2013, 9:40 pm 

By Shamindra Ferdinando
Pic by Sujatha Jayaratne

Several Fast Interceptor Craft built by Solas Marine Lanka (Pvt.) limited, are undergoing sea trials in Sri Lankan waters before being handed over to the Indian navy.

The Dubai-based Solas Marine Services Group is in the process of building 80 FIC at a shipyard situated along the Hamilton Canal.

The company, formerly known as Blue Star Marine, secured the deal worth USD 46 million in late September 2011 beating bigger competitors. Sources said that India had called for proposals from boat builders soon after the conclusion of the conflict in Sri Lanka.

They speculated that the Indian navy would deploy FIC in an operational capacity similar to that of Sri Lanka’s elite Special Boat Squadron (SBS) as well as the Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS).

The SBS and the RASB played a vital role in depriving the LTTE access to the sea during the last few months of Eelam War IV.

According to the Indian media, Sagar Prahari Bal would be responsible for the deployment of FIC to protect the coast. The Indian navy set up SPB in the wake of the unprecedented sea borne Lashkar-e-Taiba raid on Mumbai which claimed the lives of about 180 persons in late November 2008. Investigations revealed the raiding party had exploited the weakness in coastal defences to reach Mumbai.

Responding to a query by The Island, sources said that the special boat project was continuing in spite of a slight delay in the delivery schedule.

The 16-metre-long craft, mounted with a range of weapons, would be manned by four or five personnel. Recently, Indian Defence Minister Anthony told Parliament that Sri Lanka was among its defence suppliers. Minister Anthony didn’t specify the equipment. An authoritative government official involved in procurement told The Island that Minister Anthony was referring to the transaction involving the private builder.

Page’s marketing strategy... - Buy our goods-Pay back in 60 days

Wednesday, 11 September 2013 

Chairman of the Cargills Group, Ranjit Page, who prefers to call himself a “most prestigous  Sri Lankan businessman” at any given time by wearing a Sri Lankan flag pin on his clothes, is exploiting even the poor farmers in the country, sources from the company said.

Ranjit Page harbours the shrewd aim of establishing an unwarranted trade monopoly together with patriotic fraudulent entrepreneurs in the Mawbima Lanka Foundation who under the guise of promoting local products is engaged in exploiting manufacturers and consumers in Sri Lanka.

The Cargills Groups of Companies that purchases fresh fruits and vegetables from the local farmers on a 60 day credit system although the goods are sold in the Cargills supermarkets island wide within a period of two weeks. Farmers have to wait for a period of time similar to the harvesting period in order to get their dues from Cargills. Even when state institutions like Lak Sathosa make their payments to local farmers between 14-30 days, the so-called patriotic institution like Cargills takes 60 days to pay the innocent farmers after using such funds for lending purposes in his bank.

It is Ranjith Page’s policy to sell expired and spoilt vegetables and fruits in the Cargills supermarkets by cutting them and packing them in polythene. When consumers complain to the supermarket that the goods purchased in such a manner have been spoilt and in no condition to be consumed, the supermarket sends a gift pack to the consumer in order to prevent the news from reaching the media.

A large number of complaints reach the Cargills supermarkets on a daily basis and a special team has been assigned to deal with such complaints.

Multinational companies like Fonterra, Unilever, Coco Cola, and Nestle are able to face such scenarios due to its financial powers. However, the local farmers are not in a position to face such a situation. They most often purchase the fertilizer and other requirements by selling or pawning their houses and other assets. The so-called successful Sri Lankan businessman Ranjit Page uses even the pittance owned by these farmers for his credit games with banks.

Meanwhile, the Cargills Group of Companies is also engaged in purchasing farmer associations island wide. The harvests of all these farmer associations are owned by Cargills. Chillies, pepper, other spices and pulses are now being packeted and sold under the Cargills brand name. Cargills is to also take over small scale grinding mills in the rural areas. Cargills will then hold the monopoly in that sector. It is now anyone’s guess if the Fair Trading Commission has gone to its final sleep given the current situation.

The President recently said that there were supermarkets springing like mushrooms in every nook and cranny in the country and there were doubts over the standards maintained by these supermarkets. Despite the media publicity given to the President’s statement, the Fair Trading Commission seems to be in a deep slumber.

There are now over 250 Cargills supermarkets island wide. Company sources say that the supermarket has now built itself a monopoly in the local market. The magnitude of the monopoly is such that if and when Ranjit Page requires Rs. 200 million in his drawers by tomorrow, all he has to do is to increase a kilo of rice by 25 cents and sugar by 20 cents.
This is the secret for Page to wear his Sri Lankan flag pin above his shirt pocket. Everyone sees the Sri Lankan flag and not Page’s pocket. This is the truth behind the slogan “Buy our goods.”
We will publish more details in the next few weeks.

China, Sri Lanka pledge to cement friendship

by F wire Sep 11, 201
Colombo, Sep 10 (IANS) China and Sri Lanka have agreed to boost bilateral economic and trade cooperation with Beijing encouraging its entrepreneurs to invest in Sri Lanka and to help deepen mutual exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism, media and other areas.

 At a meeting here Monday between Sri Lankan Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and Liu Yunshan, senior leader of the Communist Party of China, both countries agreed to strengthen and promote bilateral friendship and cooperation.

 Liu, First Secretary of the CPC Central Secretariat, arrived here Sunday night on a three-day official visit, reports Xinhua. 

Liu hailed the “high level of mutual political trust” and thanked the south Asian country for its support on issues involving China’s core interests. 

He said that consolidation of the China-Sri Lanka friendship “not only serves the interests of both nations, but also helps promote peace, cooperation and development of the whole region”.

 He said the two countries bettered their relationship to a strategic cooperative partnership in May, and China was ready to work with Sri Lanka to grasp this opportunity and boost bilateral economic and trade cooperation. 

Jayaratne, for his part, said the Sri Lanka-China friendship has been deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples and bilateral cooperation has witnessed steady expansion. 

The prime minister expressed his gratitude for Chinese assistance for his country’s development, and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s support for China’s efforts to safeguard its core interests. 

Liu and Jayaratne also witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation agreements.

 Before his talks with Jayaratne, Liu met Sri Lankan Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and exchanged views with him on bilateral economic cooperation. 

On the same day, Liu also met Ranil Wickremasinghe, leader of the main opposition United National Party and a former prime minister of Sri Lanka.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/china-sri-lanka-pledge-to-cement-friendship-1099943.html?utm_source=ref_article

Thirty-one schools closed for CHOGM Colombo

Wednesday, 11 Sep 2013 Thirty-one schools in Colombo will be closed from November 06-19, due to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be held in Sri Lanka.   List of Schools to be closed :  1. Mahanama College – Colombo 03 2. Sir Baron Jayathilaka Vidyalaya – Maligawatta 3. Rajasinghe Vidyalaya – Maligawatta 4. Asoka College – Maradana 5. Ananda College – Maradana 6. Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya - Maradana 7. Sangaraja Vidyalaya – Maradana 8. Holy Rosary Sinhala Vidyalaya – Slave Island 9. Holy Rosary Tamil Vidyalaya – Slave Island 10. T.B. Jayah Zahira College - Slave Island 11. Al Iqbal Vidyalaya – Slave Island 12. Mihindu Vidyalaya – Keselwatta 13. Al Hikma Vidyalaya – Keselwatta 14. Kotahena Central College – Kotahena 15. St. Paul's balika Vidyalaya – Bambalapitiya 16. Hindu College – Bambalapitiya 17. Vishaka Vidyalaya – Colombo 5 18. Isipathana College – Colombo 5 19. C.W.W. Kannangara College – Colombo 8 20. Susumayawardana College – Colombo 8 21. Royal College – Colombo 7 22. D.S. Senanayake College – Colombo 7 23. Thurston College – Colombo 3 24. Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya - Colombo 7 25. Ananda Balika Vidyalaya – Maradana 26. Gothami balika Vidyalaya – Maradana 27. Nalanda Maha Vidyalaya – Borella 28. Maha Bodi Vidyalaya – Colombo 2 29. Saribudda Vidyalaya – Colombo 2 30. Al-Hidaya Maha Vidyalaya - Colombo 10 31. E.A. Gunasinghe Vidyalaya – Colombo 12

Wadduwa OIC under investigation

WEDNESDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2013 

A special inquiry is being carried out against the Wadduwa Police OIC for allegedly taking sides when investigating a complaint.

Meanwhile a tense situation prevailed in a hotel in Wadduwa when two groups of shareholders had an augment over shares.

A police team was stationed in the hotel to prevent a possible clash.

Take Steps To Confine Military To Barracks Now: Sampanthan Writes To Mahinda

“I would kindly request you to take steps to confine the military to the barracks now itself and remove the biggest obstacle to the conduct of a free and fair poll on the 21st of September 2013.” R Sampanthanthe Parliamentary Group Leader of the TNA wrote to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

We publish below the letter in full;

9th September 2013

HE Mahinda Rajapakshe,

President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,

President’s House,

Colombo 1.

Your Excellency,

Provincial Council Elections to the Northern Province

I write with reference to the above Elections due to be held on the 21st of September 2013.

Sampanthan

You are aware that we and many others have consistently raised the issue of the heavily militarized atmosphere in the Northern Province, which is not at all conducive to the holding of a free and fair election. What has been objectionable even before the announcement of the polls is not only the presence of the military but the fact that they without invitation engage with the civilian population in many exclusively civilian matters. This involvement has continued even after the Election was announced and has also strayed well into election related activities. The rumor that the military has nominated some candidates on the Government Party, i.e., UPFA list is fuelled by soldiers pasting posters promoting those candidates and guarding such posters from being torn down even by election officials. There was at least one instance when we made a written complaint that the army was distributing building materials to the voters at Navanthurai, Jaffna, with hoardings of some candidates kept in the background. A photograph showing a candidate physically participating in this event with the army was published in a newspaper. The election officials who visited the scene found the allegation to be true but were not able to stop it. These are only but a few glaring examples of the blatant manner in which the military is now engaged in the election campaign for the Government Party, UPFA. It is also a matter of record that at least three of our candidates were threatened by the army on the day we submitted our nominations.

In this background and otherwise, it is clear that there cannot be a free and fair election if the military continues its interfering presence in the Northern Province. It has thus become imperative for me to ask you to relegate the army and the other security forces to the barracks immediately and leave the maintenance of law and order in the hands of the Police. There is real apprehension that the military involvement will increase in the coming days and will serve to dissuade voters from going out and casting their votes on Election Day. It is rumored that the army is already discouraging the local populace from voting on the 21st.

Therefore I would kindly request you to take steps to confine the military to the barracks now itself and remove the biggest obstacle to the conduct of a free and fair poll on the 21st of September 2013.

Yours truly,

R Sampanthan

Parliamentary Group Leader, TNA

President, Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK)

UNHRC 24th session: Sunila Abeysekera: Her name is synonymous with human rights in Sri Lanka

UNHRC 24th session: Sunila Abeysekera: Her name is synonymous with human rights in Sri Lanka

Lawyers Rights Watch Canada ;Speaker: Gary Anandasangaree-

Monday, September 9, 2013

Mr. President, Madam High Commissioner, Your Excellencies

You are all too familiar with the work of Sunila Abeysekera.  The name is synonymous with human rights in Sri Lanka - a mission that captivated and motivated her to work. This afternoon, Lawyers Rights Watch Canada, IMADR, and NGO colleagues are saddened to hear of her untimely passing. She will stand as one of the most profound human rights defenders of our times.


Many in this Chamber have met her, worked with her, and marched along her side, on issues she passionately advocated for during a career spanning four decades. 

Born in 1952 to a socially conscious family in Sri Lanka, Sunila became a social and political activist at a young age.  She initially used drama as a tool to bring awareness to social issues of the day, and then transformed that message into direct advocacy.  She advocated for the release of Singhalese youth detained for the 1971 insurrection. She helped establish INFORM in 1989 which documented human rights abuses at a time when repression and terror in Sri Lanka escalated.

Since 1992, Sunila has worked with Global Campaign for Women’s Human Rights. She was an advocate of the Free Media Movement in Sri Lanka.

She has received many awards for her work, including the UN Human Rights Award in 1999 by the then Secretary General Kofi Annan, and recognition by Human Rights Watch for her work on human rights.
Sunila was one of the very few activists who saw the onslaught of the 2009 massacre of Tamils in Mullivaikal.  She reached out and worked with families of the injured.  She advocated tirelessly for a peaceful resolution to the civil war and since the end of the war, she has worked towards accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Up until her last days, Sunila never waivered on creating a more just society. She empowered women, workers, and young people alike. Her dedication for, and solidarity with, the oppressed peoples all over the world is truly remarkable.

Today, one of the poignant voices for peace on the island of Sri Lanka has been muted.  Yet, she is responsible for motivating, mentoring and opening the doors to a new generation of activists from around the world.   Her legacy will be achieved by the work undertaken by all those who admired and looked up to her.
May her soul rest in peace, and May Sunila’s dream for a more equal, free, and peaceful society flourish in our time.

Thank you. 

Prabhakaran’s wisdom

September 9, 2013, 12:00 pm

Former Army Commander and Democratic Party Leader Gen. Sarath Fonseka is quite adept at attracting media attention—too much of it, at times. He has said something interesting at a recent propaganda rally in Jaffna; if Prabhakaran had surrendered, he would have been with the government by now, contesting the PC polls on the UPFA ticket.

Prabhakaran’s wisdom by nelvely

CAFFE ASKS NORTHERN GOVERNOR TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PUBLIC SERVICE AND POLITICS

Governor of Northern Province, Major General (Retd) GA Chandrasiri

September 10, 2013 

The involvement in election propaganda by Governor of the Northern Province G.A. Chandrasiri is a violation of the establishment code, and thus he should choose between public service and politics, says the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE.) 

Issuing a press release CaFFE Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon said that he is surprised and saddened by Chandrasiri joining United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) politicians for election propaganda activities. 

The role and responsibility of a Governor is detailed in article 154 (b) of the Sri Lankan Constitution. A Governor is appointed by the President and must carry out the duties assigned, thus his actions are executive actions. 

However by participating in election propaganda activities of a political party contesting for an area under his command, Chandrasiri has shown that he is not an independent person, he said.

“It is of great importance that an individual holding an important and an honourable position acts in an impartial manner during an election period. This is doubly important for the Governor heading a Provincial Council in which there is an election as he is to convene the Provincial Council elected on September 21,” Tennakoon said. 

He pointed out that although a Governor can have apolitical opinion, it is not ethical for him to engage in politics, as he is, first and foremost, a public servant and not a “slave of a political party”. 

“By attending election propaganda activities Chandrasiri has shown his political bias. In the recent past Governor of the Northwestern Province Tissa R Balalla engaged in similar activities but he seems to have stopped such actions, at least temporarily, after continuous lobbying by election stakeholders,” Tennakoon added. 

While respecting Northern Province Governor’s right to political opinion, CaFFE reiterates that he should resign from his position if he wants to continue engaging in politics. “If not he will have no moral right to continue as Governor after the September 21 Provincial Council elections.”