Sri Lanka: First Take On NPC Elections

By R Hariharan - September 22, 2013 |

Col. (retd) R.Hariharan

About 78.5 percent of 4.25 lakh people of Northern Province who voted in the Provincial Council elections on September 21, 2013 have given the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) a thumping victory. The TNA won 30 seats including 2 bonus seats in the 38-member council while the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) secured 7 seats and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) won 1 seat.

The results were not unexpected; but the large voter turnout of 67.5 percent evidently boosted the TNA figures. TNA’s performance point to the broad acceptance of its reading of political aspirations reflected in its manifesto.

The TNA went into the election after some introspection with its Diaspora patrons and Tamil intellectuals.This resulted in TNA naming an apolitical personality – retired Sri Lanka Supreme Court judge CV Wigneswaran – as its chief ministerial candidate. This prevented TNA from dissipating its energies in a leadership struggle between the three major parties that dominate the five-member conglomerate.

Justice Wigneswaran enjoyed excellent national reputation as a jurist and did not belong to any party. Any doubts about his belief in the Tamil Cause vanished after he delivered the Thanthai Chelvanayagam Lecture “Whither Sri Lankan Tamils” at Colombo on April 25, 2013. The rhetoric and the nuance of speech appealed to most of the Tamils, despite some unorthodox views. Undoubtedly, choice of Wigneswaran helped the TNA’s to broaden its support base as he was apolitical and belonged to no special interest group. Probably this persuaded large number of voters to support TNA after their energies have been sapped by two and a half decades of war.

He also fitted in the TNA bid to project a new image distancing itself from its tainted political association with Prabhakaran while retaining the idiom of ‘Tamil Nation’ at its core. This desire has made the manifesto more a vision statement than a mission statement listing specific objectives of the Party.

Read More

Post Polls: Tamils Want Solutions »

• Tensions grow in Mannar
• Jaffna violence mars poll

By Easwaran Rutnam-Sunday, September 22, 2013

The Northern elections may be over and results are out, but as far as the people in the North are concerned the election is just an administrative formality.

To put it in the words of Sarawanan Krishna, a trader at the Jaffna market, the Tamils want a solution to their everyday needs which so far does not seem likely to be addressed through an election.

Krishna is just one of many Northerners who cast their ballots yesterday and it was no surprise that he, like many other Tamils in the North, supported the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) – some for the mere reason that they had no other choice.

Post Polls Tamils Want Solutions by nelvely

THE TNA TSUNAMI: RE-BALANCING THE EQUATION

Image courtesy The Sri Lanka Guardian

by Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

• - on 09/22/2013

The TNA victory has shown that Sri Lanka remains a functioning democracy; that it functions when there is competition; and that with or without the 17th amendment and even under the tightest military supervision, the government can be electorally defeat.

The Tna Tsunami Re-balancing the Equation by nelvely

A foregone conclusion?

Editorial-September 21, 2013, 6:45 pm 

The results would be trickling in or may already be declared when you read this and you will know whether the pundits were right – that the UPFA took the North Western and Central Provinces and the TNA won in the North. Be that as it may, we repeat what we have always held, that the Provincial Councils are a huge white elephant foisted on the people by President J.R. Jayewardene whose arm was twisted by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of India to satisfy the regional autonomy aspirations of the Tamils. There was never any demand for such autonomy from the South but, as then Minister Lalith Athulathmudali famously said, ``we cannot give to Jaffna what we will not give to Hambantota.’’ So PCs island-wide were spawned. Ironically, except for a brief period when the North East Provincial Council under Chief Minister Varatharajah Perumal (incidentally where is he now?) of the so-called `temporarily merged’ North and East held office, the regions pleading and demanding autonomy did not have it and a new parasitic political class of Provincial Councilors went their merry way guzzling tax rupees elsewhere in the country with their sights on a step up the ladder to parliament.

Yesterday’s was the first PC election of the Northern Province held after the de-merger of the North and East. The other two elections were called before time by the president, no doubt anxious to demonstrate at home and abroad that he continues to enjoy the support of the majority of Sinhala voters. Two out of three is not a bad score (if that’s the way it went), he well knows. Mahinda Rajapaksa has long used the PCs as a political windsock both to inform himself and for sundry other purposes, all serving the cause of his personal and dynastic projects. The tragedy for the Sri Lankan taxpayer is that they must carry the tab for the re-election of their representatives who have now found that the PCs and the humbler local government institutions are all happy hunting grounds to blood their kith and kin into the great and rewarding game called politics. The promise of the rulers that they will not anoint relatives with their party tickets to run at these elections was broken very quickly after it was made on a previous occasion and a whole clutch of big shot family members were in the fray at yesterday’s contest. No doubt quite a few of them would have by now got elected.

No major election incidents had been reported as this is being written and the run-up showed more internecine battles within the ruling party for preference votes rather than between rival parties. A great deal of attention remains focused on whether Minister Johnston Fernando’s son or Dayasiri Jayasekera will win more preference votes. Both sides, obviously, were not short of money which was visibly splashed. Dayasiri made a virtue, and virtue it was given the shoddy history of this issue, of having resigned his parliamentary seat when he crossed over from the UNP to the ruling coalition. This was unlike too many of his green party colleagues (including Johnston) who gratefully took their mess of potage and helped further bloat an already bloated cabinet. The voters must not forget that they first voted for a party before they expressed a candidate preference and defections distorted their choices. Although there is provision in the law that defectors would lose their seats, the courts have been too generous to this rapacious lot, permitting them to enjoy office by the grace of the president while technically remaining members of an opposition party! Whoever said that the law is an ass obviously got it right. There is of course now some slow movement towards amending the proportional representation based electoral system. Sadly this is not about strengthening democracy but making things more comfortable for the political class. The people come last in these calculations.

A figure that would merit attention from today’s results is the voter turnout – were people apathetic about these elections with little interest in exercising their franchise out of the knowledge that the real winners are those elected rather than the voters. Although there have been allegations, some of them wild about the military being used by the ruling party, the government will be acutely aware that the election in the North is under close watch both by the officially invited observation groups as well as the various NGO monitoring organizations that have developed into a virtual industry. Commonsense would dictate that any flagrant interference or chicanery would not be of benefit in the context of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting especially if the result cannot be turned around. Yet there were reports that the home of the wife of an LTTE cadre, allegedly in custody, who is running at this election, had been attacked by a large group of men in uniform. Publication of such reports in respected newspapers like the New York Times can hardly redound to the credit of the government.

What kind of impact the UNP and JVP could make, at least in terms of whether they were able to improve their previous performance, would also be of some interest. But the opposition parties as much as the government party would be affected by general voter indifference, many analysts believe. You would know the results today although the preference vote counting would take longer to complete. Hopefully there will be a message to the rulers that although they won the war for which they have been heaped with much credit, their record of governance is abysmally poor. A wake up call would certainly not be misplaced.

Now, Democracy – But Only For Us!

By Charles Ponnuthurai Sarvan -September 22, 2013

Dr. Charles Sarvan

All human beings are equal in dignity and rights -Article 1, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

By way of a preamble, currently the worst political epithet is “terrorist”, such that states and leaders who resort to terrorism also hurl this linguistic stone of abuse at those who oppose them. “Terrorist” is an over-used and under-examined term. President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, while unleashing state terrorism on oppositional groups, brands them as terrorists. Callum Macrae, writing in the Guardian newspaper, 3 September 2013, about his film, ‘No-Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka’, says that President Rajapaksa is bolstered by, and appropriates, “the West’s rhetoric of the war on terror” but over 70, 000 civilians were killed. “Victorious government troops systematically executed bound, blindfolded prisoners. Women fighters were stripped, sexually assaulted, blindfolded, and shot in the head” (Macrae).

In contrast, the cloak governments wish to be seen as wearing is that of democracy. I recall President Kaunda of Zambia describing his form of government as “one party participatory democracy”, either blissfully unaware of, or ignoring, fundamental contradiction. (Compared to the horror of some other dictators, Kenneth Kaunda is a near-saintly figure.) Democracy is the most challenging and responsible form of government, and for its successful functioning a mature, informed and, above all, a decent electorate is indispensable – “decent” as used by Avishai Margalit in his The Decent Society’:  see Sarvan, Sunday Leader, Colombo, 8 August 2010. As it was said when President Mohamed  Morsi of Egypt was ousted, July 2013, by the army, true democracy – a democracy in spirit and not merely in form -  is more than winning elections and having a majority in parliament.

Some friends, both Sinhalese and Tamil, have written to me observing that a few Sinhalese chauvinists arenow voicing concern about the lack of democracy and freedom; the absence of a law-enforcing police force and an independent judiciary in the “Island of the Compassionate and Moral Doctrine of the Buddha”. My friends read this as a hopeful indication where the minorities are concerned. “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” (Shelley).  I fear they misread the sign.                  Read More

Bid to assassinate Ananthi Elilan aimed at eliminating war crime witness

BY RAMANAN VEERASINGHAM-

22 SEPTEMBER 2013

Keeping the country largely on a war footing with heavy military presence in the former war-zones of Jaffna and Wanni districts, the incumbent government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has held the maiden election for the Northern provincial council mainly to deceive the outside world that democracy and rule of law have been restored in all parts of the island nation. 

Bid to Assassinate Ananthi Elilan Aimed at Eliminating War Crime Witness by nelvely

Pillay, D.S. and Buddhist flag: Govt. exhibiting lack of diplomacy - Eran  

by Zacki Jabbar-September 21, 2013, 7:37 pm

The on going dispute over the alleged remarks made by the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner (UNHRC),Navaneethem Pillay about the D.S.Senanayake statue and the Buddhist flag, indicated the lack of diplomacy on the part of the Rajapaksa regime, an Opposition MP said yesterday.

 Eran Wickremeratne, MP, told the "Sunday Island" that President Mahinda Rajapaksa by publicly contradicting his brother, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who alleged that Pillay during her recent meeting with the President in Colombo,had wanted the D.S. Senanayake Statue and the Buddhist flag removed from Independence Square, had behaved in a very irresponsible manner.

Sri Lankan’s, he observed would not be one bit surprised about the conduct of the President and his brother, because leveling allegations and then denying them has become the trade mark of the UPFA government. But,when dealing with the international community, those holding responsible positions had to consider the reputation of the country before shooting their mouths off.

Wickremeratne,said that a spokesperson for Pillay had already informed the UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake that she did not make any adverse remarks about the D.S.Statue or the Buddhist flag.

One of the main reasons for the country being crucified at international forums including in the UN, the MP noted, was due to the arrogance and lack of foresight on the part of the current crop of rulers.

The allegation leveled against Pillay about ten days after she had left the country was obviously a maneuver to focus the people on imagined external enemies with a view to distracting them from domestic issues such as the deteriorating economy, law and order and failure to implement the key recommendations contained in the Government’s own LLRC’s report, he pointed out.

  Wickremeratne warned that trying to belittle and insult foreign dignitaries was to very undiplomatic and will lead to serious repercussions, the brunt of which would have to be borne by the masses.

 The sooner the Rajapaksa regime came to its senses and allowed seasoned and sensible diplomats to handle foreign affairs, the better for the country, he noted.

The Dialog Of Citizens For Politicians Who Care

By Thrishantha Nanayakkara -September 22, 2013 |

Dr. Thrishantha Nanayakkara

Dear Aravinthan Anna,

Many thanks for your Skype call this morning. Thanks to live streaming of Sri Lankan TV channels, I could follow the election results and related commentaries from here as and when it happened. As you correctly said, people in the North have clearly expressed their will to have a representation that knows their aspirations, and that they don’t need just any model of development. The electoral outcome of Kaytes Island is a good example that there is a limit to which money can buy votes. Now Anna, as a Southerner, while wholeheartedly well wishing the new Provincial Council so strongly led by ITAC, I challenge it to show by example that it truly stands by the aspirations of the people of Jaffna. Keep pressure on them to build up a good respect for rule of law, human rights, and equality among all its residents. When I mentioned about rule of law, you asked me if the Navy Commander would hold an inquiry into why Yoshitha Rajapaksa openly participated in political campaigns during the last couple of months while he is in uniform. Well I know that the Army held a swift inquiry into why former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was allegedly involved in politics while in uniform based on evidence given by a politicna who crossed over to the Government side. You saw how fast those inquiries moved and how they rushed to give the verdict on a day the defense lawyers were not present. So, your argument that we in the South do not have strong rule of law sort of breaks down. Anyway, lets see how the Navy commander keeps up to that exemplary record held by the Army. If the Navy Commander so wishes, there were many photo evidence given in so many media, and this note is an open challenge to him.                         Read More

UNPRECEDENTED PRESSURE: Minister Prof. G.L Peiris

Saturday, September 21, 2013 (All day)

Pillay did not take into account compelling evidence provided to her:

Due to diaspora’s access to LTTE monetary resources:

No other post- conflict country had to cope with the intense pressure Sri Lanka has been subjected to, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L Peiris said.

He said this was due to the financial clout of the diaspora which has influence, and access to a vast amount of monetary resources that the LTTE had accumulated.

Prof. Peiris said in an interview with the Times of India, that he felt some recent observations by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, following a visit to Sri Lanka are biased and do not reflect reality. Prof. Peiris said Pillay during the visit did not take into account compelling evidence provided to her, including a report by UN agencies prepared by talking to 917 people in the Northern Province, where a vast majority had described the Army as a source of comfort.

Prof. Peris in the interview also explains why Sri Lanka faces pressure over its wartime history and present record - and what India can do in these circumstances.

Minister Peiris’ interview with the Times of India.

Q: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has accused Sri Lanka of moving towards authoritarianism - is that true?

A: I think her observations are biased and do not reflect reality. She did not take into account compelling evidence provided to her during her visit, including a report by UN agencies prepared by talking to 917 people in the Northern Province - a vast majority of these people described the army as a source of comfort.

She also did not take note of how army presence in the region has been cut down. Or that the same province is growing by 22% as against the national average of 6.2%. Also, Pillay wanted to visit Mullivaikal, the place where Prabhakaran died, in a clandestine manner. She said she wanted to go there to pay a floral tribute to all the people who died in the war but did not inform us, even though we’d provided her access to all places. The local UN office too was not informed about the proposed visit. She later called it off only after a furore.

Then she said a new ministry for law and order should be under civilian control, implying that President Rajapaksa is not a civilian authority, which is completely wrong.

Q: Does Sri Lanka really believe that this has something to do with her Tamil origin?

A: I don’t want to make any accusation of that kind but this is a situation where perception is as important as reality. If the

background suggests a sense of bias, it is desirable that nothing should be done to encourage that perception.

Just a week after the end of the war, she called for international investigations. What was the evidence on the basis of which she said

that? Her proposed visit to Mullivaikal last month has given a lot of credence to that perception of bias and pre-judgment which is strong in Sri Lanka. This country has 65,000 sq km. She could have gone anywhere to pay tribute - why go where Prabhakaran died?

Also, what about the feelings of people living in the south?

Q: Do you believe Sri Lanka is being unfairly targeted?

A: Whether it was Yugoslavia or Cambodia, no other country was subjected to such pressure. Why is this degree of intensity not seen in other countries dealing with post-conflict situations? The answer is the diaspora which has influence and access to a vast amount of financial resources LTTE had accumulated.

Q:What are your expectations from India in the present circumstances?

A: We want an understanding of our situation on the part of the Indian government with regard to what we have accomplished so far in terms of implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report.

This country is entitled to time and space to continue with this sensitive process - it is not unreasonable to expect goodwill from

India. We hope India is represented at the highest level in the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting summit in Sri Lanka. The summit is a good opportunity for the world to see what has been accomplished in the past four years - and how difficult it has been. 

- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/local/unprecedented-pressure-minister-prof-gl-peiris#sthash.IBXFebCw.UZ1VFbPC.dpuf

Tamil Nadu exports fish robbed from Lanka

Multibillion-rupee industry feeding US, EU, Japan while engaged in banned IUU fishing

Sunday, September 22, 2013

More than 1,000 Tamil Nadu fishing boats that cross into Sri Lankan waters with impunity thrice a week form part of the southern Indian state’s multi-billion rupee fish export industry catering to the European Union, the United States, Japan and other countries, a Sunday Times investigation has revealed.

Tamil Nadu fishermen put their hands up and perform Hindu rituals of repentance as Sri Lanka Navy boats approach them while poaching in Sri Lankan waters last week. Exclusive picture by Lakshman Gunathilake on board SLN Thilina

Tamil Nadu Exports Fish Robbed From Lanka by nelvely

Sri Lankan Olympian Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam On His Hopes For Reconciliation – Video

September 22, 2013 

Diaspora communities can inspire peace in their country of origin, according to US citizen Dr Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam, a former Olympian of Tamil heritage who coaches young athletes in Sri Lanka. Though he is sceptical of the government’s reconciliation programme, he says sport can help heal the scars of the country’s long conflict and provide hope to the young. Film-maker Kannan Arunasalam met him in his native city of Jaffna last year as part of International Alert’s Diaspora Diaries film series.

*Kannan Arunasalam, Source: International Alert, Length: 4min 56sec, theguardian.com , Saturday 21 September 2013

Technology Simplified For The Layman

By Kumar David -September 22, 2013 

Prof Kumar David

Technology simplified for the layman:Too much wind and solar!

We have been brought up to believe that renewable or green energy, such as wind and solar generated electricity, is more expensive than natural gas, coal power or nuclear power, but it is good for the environment, and reduces health concerns and fears of catastrophic nuclear accidents. This is broadly true with some caveats that I will touch on anon, and this is why the Dutch, Danes, Germans and other rich countries are willing to pay more for electricity so that the wind generated component in their energy mix can be increased. However, except for the technical cognoscenti, few are aware that the electricity supply system itself could encounter hiccups if the amount of wind and solar energy incorporated therein became large; for example if it exceeded 20%. There are two types of concerns and I will touch on, both in language that a layman can follow.

It is important to appreciate that there is nothing in technology that is so complex that the elements essential for the public to make informed decisions have to be excluded; I refer to matters that have policy implications. As one of my friends put it, “make the political and administrative system people cantered and participatory”.  One does not need to be acquainted with cutting-edge medical science to understand the choice between treatment options if the implications are clearly explained by an able physician. Similarly, one does not need to be able to solve hard equations or write avant-garde software to get a grip on what I will explain here.

This topic was thrown into the limelight by a story in the Island (9 September) that upset many people; the headline alone was traumatising, “CEB blocks clean energy generation”! The gist of the matter was contained in a few sentences:-              Read More   

North decisively rejects Colombo rule

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 September 2013, 21:41 GMT]
More than 66% of the voters, who have cast their votes in the NPC elections on Saturday were overwhelmingly in favour of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and have categorically rejected Colombo’s political parties. Despite all manipulations, the TNA has secured 81% of votes in Ki’linochchi polling division and 78% in Mullaiththeevu polling division, according to the official results released so far. The emerging pattern in Jaffna district also indicates a similar trend. The TNA is expected to secure at least 30 seats of the 36 seat NPC. 

Despite demographic manipulations, threats, intimidations and the psy-ops war waged by the occupying SL military, the people have been firm in passing their message, political observers in Jaffna said. 

The people have rejected not only the genocidal regime, but also the other opposition parties of Ranil Wickramasinghe and war crimes accused former military commander General Sarath Fonseka.

In Nalloor electorate, the TNA has polled 23,733 votes, the UPFA 2,651 votes, the UNP 148 votes and Fonseka’s Democratic Party 19 votes. A similar trend is observed in Jaffna and Uduppiddi electoral divisions. 

In KKS, the TNA has polled 19,596 against UPFA polling 4,048. 

In Ooraaththu’rai (Kayts) electorate, which has been under the grip of the EPDP for several years, the TNA has polled 8,917 votes for the first time against 4,164 votes by the UPFA alliance. 

Meanwhile, Sinhala extremist parties in the South were engaged in a campaign that within the next 5 years, demographic changes have to be enacted in Jaffna itself in order to avoid any threat for the Colombo-centric State.

வடமாகாண சபை தேர்தல்! ஐந்து மாவட்டங்களிலும் தமிழ் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு மாபெரும் வெற்றி!

[ சனிக்கிழமை, 21 செப்ரெம்பர் 2013, 08:44.55 PM GMT ]

வடமாகாண சபை தேர்தல் முடிவின்படி 5 மாவட்டங்களிலும் தமிழத் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு அமோக வெற்றியீட்டியுள்ளதோடு முல்லைத்தீவில் 4 ஆசனங்களையும், கிளிநொச்சியில் 3 ஆசனங்களையும், வவுனியாவில் 4 ஆசனங்களையும், மன்னாரில் 3ஆசனங்களையும் பெற்றுள்ளது.

முல்லைத்தீவு மாவட்ட தேர்தல் முடிவுகள்

மேலும் படிக்க

Organisations demand Commonwealth take action on Sri Lanka

 Saturday, 21 September 2013 06:28

The Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, CIVICUS (the world alliance for civilian participation) and Forum Asia (the Asian forum for human rights) have today jointly issued a statement demanding that the Commonwealth take firm action on Sri Lanka.

Issued in advance of the influential "CMAG" meeting the statement calls for Sri Lanka to be placed on the formal agenda for the meeting - the first step towards the expulsion of Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth.

It also calls upon CMAG to consider the fact that as things currently stand Sri Lanka's President will become the leader (or Chair-in-Office) of the Commonwealth for the next two years following the biennial summit to be held in Sri Lanka this November.

It further calls upon CMAG to accept a briefing from the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, who has just returned from a fact finding trip to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's woeful record on human rights has been a matter of concern for some time, following on from a thirty year civil war which was controversially ended in 2009 by a brutal military assault in which it is thought as many as 70,000 civilians may have died.

As the statement says, "In sum,the allegations Sri Lanka faces are grave and range, across a long time period, from violations of international humanitarian law to extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, impunity and crackdown on freedoms of expression and assembly."

Fred Carver, Campaign Director for the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice, said, "Failure to undertake these steps will not merely ensure a worsening of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka - it will also guarantee that the Commonwealth is stripped of all credibility. The Commonwealth is struggling for relevance in the 21st century, however as a brand it still retains considerable diplomatic power. But if it allows Sri Lanka's behaviour to tarnish that brand then it will cease to have any relevance to the modern world."

Think Globally, Act Locally

By Emil van der Poorten -September 22, 2013

Emil van der Poorten

The slogan that is the title of this column is one that was very popular many years ago at the time of the first awakening of North Americans to the need for attention to the environment, global warming and acid rain.

It comes to mind in a Sri Lankan context for two very different reasons, the first of which is the predilection of those supporting the most violent and corrupt government in Sri Lanka’s history for trotting out the “They did it first!” rebuttal every time some international or even local agency concerned with human rights points out (yet) another horrendous incident where, once again, the rule of law is treated as a dead letter rather than the cornerstone of democratic practice and civilized conduct which it is in any civilized, democratic country.  It’s yet another excuse for inaction.

The fact that the western democracies have a bottomless well of hypocrisy into which our sycophantic horde dips its collective bucket for fresh supplies of material to throw at those critical of the regime they serve so assiduously should not, in any way, impede the need to continue to draw attention to the parlous condition of quasi-democracy in Sri Lanka.

I will never tire of saying that just because Hitler visited genocide on a minority group does not give us and ours the right to do so.  Just because Mao and Stalin murdered millions of people in pursuit of some irrational scheme for economic modernization or because of paranoia or megalomania doesn’t give us an excuse to overlook something similar in our circumstances.      Read More