Key U.S. Outcomes at the UN Human Rights Council 24th Session

Office of the Spokesperson-Washington, DC-October 1, 2013

The outcomes of the 24^th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) underscored the importance of robust U.S. engagement at the Council, where the United States continues to work with a diverse range of countries from all regions to address urgent human rights concerns. Among the positive results of this session was the U.S.-led renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Assembly and Association. As a member of the Council, our mission remains to emphasize key human rights issues and vigorously oppose efforts to shield human rights violators.

MULTILATERAL RESPONSES TO COUNTRY SITUATIONS

Syria: The HRC adopted its twelfth resolution on Syria this session with 40 members voting in favor – two more than the last HRC resolution on Syria. Only one state, Venezuela, opposed the resolution, which focused on the use of chemical weapons, accountability, and humanitarian access.

Sudan: The Council renewed the mandate of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan for another year, a top priority for the United States. The mandate provides a means to maintain international pressure on Sudan to address ongoing human rights violations and abuses, particularly in Darfur, Southern Kordofan, and Blue Nile states.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R.C.): The HRC resolution, co-sponsored by the United States, highlights steps taken by the Government of the D.R.C. to address its human rights challenges, while calling for the Council to convene a high-level panel at the March 2014 session on lessons learned and ongoing challenges in the fight against sexual violence in the Congo and in other post-conflict states.

Central African Republic: The United States co-sponsored a resolution that creates a new independent expert to examine the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic. The resolution notes the need for humanitarian agencies to have full access to the country, while also expressing the importance of respecting freedom of expression in the preparation of a participatory electoral process in advance of elections to be held by February 2015.

Somalia: The United States co-sponsored a resolution renewing the mandate of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia. The resolution also calls for the creation of an independent national human rights commission, and includes important new language calling upon the Government of Somalia to ensure the protection and well-being of internally displaced persons and to ensure unfettered access for humanitarian organizations.

Sri Lanka: The United States welcomed the report by High Commissioner Pillay and echoed the High Commissioner’s concerns, in particular regarding restrictions on freedom of expression, attacks on human rights defenders and journalists, and interference with the judiciary. The United States also noted the High Commissioner’s assessment that, absent meaningful progress on post-conflict accountability, calls for an international inquiry will persist.

CROSS-CUTTING HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES

Freedom of Assembly and Association and Civil Society Space: The United States, in close cooperation with the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Lithuania, the Maldives, Mexico, and Nigeria, led the effort to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association for a second three-year term. Through country visits and frequent reports, the Special Rapporteur highlights trends, threats, and opportunities for civil society organizations across the globe. The United States also supported a new resolution urging states to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment for civil society.

Reprisals: The United States cosponsored a resolution on preventing reprisals against persons cooperating with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. This year’s resolution requests the UN Secretary General designate a UN-wide senior focal point to promote the prevention of, protection against, and accountability for reprisals and intimidation, and to encourage a unified response to such acts throughout the UN system.

Resolutions on Female Genital Mutilation and Early and Forced Marriage: With strong U.S. support, the Council adopted its first resolutions condemning female genital mutilation and early and forced marriage.

Rights of Indigenous Peoples: The Council renewed the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples with strong U.S. support.

Sports and the Olympic Ideal: The Council adopted a resolution on human rights, sports, and the Olympic ideal. After its adoption, the U.S. delivered remarks on the importance of welcoming all minorities and vulnerable persons in sports and the Olympics, noting that this includes all persons regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

I couldn’t meet MR due to the time factor-Indian PM WEDNESDAY, 02 OCTOBER 2013 Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he couldn’t meet Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in New York as the dates given were not convenient to him, India Times reported. “I would have had no hesitation in meeting him. He asked for a meeting on dates which were not convenient to me, because I came to New York only on the 27th and he asked for a meeting between 24th and 27th. So the meeting could not be arranged. There is no other reason,” Dr. Singh told reporters on his flight back home. Commenting on the 13th Amendment, the Indian Prime Minister said, “Our views are well known as far as the devolution of more powers to the Northern Province is concerned. On an umpteen number of occasions, we have discussed with the Sri Lankan President the need to implement the 13th Amendment. Therefore, our position is fully well known to the Government of Sri Lanka.”

Fast in protest of CHOGM in Colombo
Wednesday, 02 Oct 2013

The Madras High Court said on Tuesday General Secretary of Thamizh Thesiya Viduthalai Iyakkam, K. Thiagarajan, could choose either Chepauk or Valluvar Kottam to go on a fast in support of his demands, which included expelling Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth.

Justice K.K. Sasidharan agreed with the city police’s contention that if the fast is permitted on the Marina, as sought by Thiagarajan, it would cause traffic problems. The beach attracted several tourists and the functioning of various offices such as Madras University and Secretariat would be affected if traffic comes to a standstill on the artery. Therefore, it is not possible to permit the petitioner to commence a fast on the Marina. The petitioner should be given liberty to choose an alternative location either opposite the State Guest House at Chepauk or Valluvar Kottam.

Thiagarajan sought to quash an order of the Chennai Police of 19 September denying him permission to go on an indefinite fast on the Marina from 1 October to press his demands, among which are that the CHOGM meeting should not be held in Colombo, and if it is held there, that the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, should not attend it.

Justice Sasidharan said there was no dispute that the police had a duty to maintain law and order, but while rejecting the request for permission, the police should indicate briefly the reasons for doing so. The State, having allowed similar form of protests earlier, could not take a different yardstick now. The police had enough power to impose reasonable restrictions to ensure the safety and convenience of the people at large. It appears to have taken a policy decision to ban public meetings and other agitations, fearing possible law and order problem. Each case should be decided by police, taking into consideration the factual situation.

However, the decision should not be arbitrary. Setting aside the impugned order, Justice Sasidharan issued a set of directions which included that the petitioner should pledge that he would not initiate violence while organizing meetings in connection with the fast. The petitioner should inform the police about his selection of location. (The Hindu)

Interview with 'Check your Sinhala privilege'

02 October 2013
Last week, three young Tamils from Toronto, Montreal and London, published a piece on the website Tumblr, listing the 'privileges' of being Sinhalese. Since then, the piece entitled 'Check your Sinhala privilege', has sparked widespread praise, criticism and passionate debate online. 

Tamil Guardian caught up with the writers, Ram, Ahila and Sinthujan, via Facebook, to find out more.. 

Tamil Guardian: What inspired you to write this piece?
 
Sinthujan: 

Interview With 'Check Your Sinhala Privilege' by nelvely

Changing the game

October 3, 2013

• If the TNA can keep ploughing the politically mature path, push the Rajapaksa Administration to reciprocate and ensure they exercise their writ over the Northern Province with responsibility and accountability, the party could reinvent the image and effectiveness of a white elephant provincial council system and lend credence to its own calls for greater self-rule in the north and east

The seventh month in the Tamil solar calendar that commences on 15 October is an important one for Hindu devotees. Aipassi or the month between 15 October and 14 November heralds the season of Kulir or cold and for the southern subcontinent means the onset of the 

Changing the Game by nelvely

Will Wigneswaran seek CHOGM intervention

by Upul Joseph Fernando

( October 2, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The main reason why the 43rd Chief Justice, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, was removed from her post was presumably due to two decisions she had delivered in respect of land issues through constitutional interpretations, which were obviously not to the liking of the government.

One was the decision relating to Town and Country Planning (Amendment Bill) wherein the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution clearly established the legal position that the subject of land is devolved to the Provincial Councils under the Constitution. As a result the government was compelled to withdraw that particular Bill.

Will Wigneswaran Seek CHOGM Intervention by nelvely

SL military expands military cantonment in VVT, Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 01 October 2013, 23:49 GMT]
Colombo’s ruling UPFA alliance, during the recent election campaign promised the people of Valveddith-thu’rai (VVT) in Jaffna that the SL military would be vacating from more than 50 houses at VVT junction, which have been occupied since 1996. But, on Sunday, the occupying Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has expanded the occupation, seizing more lands to the north of VVT junction and up to the sea, says former parliamentarian and TELO politician K. Sivajilingam. The SL military even attacked the fishermen, who had entered the 1 km long coastal stretch, Mr Sivajilingam further said. 

The people from more than 52 houses at the vicinity of VVT Junction were chased away from Valveddith-thu’rai in 1996 and the occupying Sri Lanka Army (SLA) of the 52 Division has established a camp at the junction at the same year. 

The SL military personnel have fenced almost 1 km of coastal stretch with barbed wires. 

The occupying Colombo has been silently seizing lands along the Northern and Eastern coastal areas in the recent months.

Sri Lanka Tamil party calls for reduction in military in the North and East
Tue, May 22, 2012, 09:29 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

May 22, Colombo: Sri Lanka's major Tamil political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has once again called for the reduction in military presence in the North and East.

TNA Leader R. Sampanthan says there needed to be a reduction in the military presence in the North and East.

Sampanthan has told a Tamil media that the current ratio of security personnel in the North and East stood at one soldier for every eight civilians.

He has said there was no necessity for military personnel to be involved in civilian activities like temple festivals and school functions.

According to Sampanthan, the security forces in the North and East posed an obstacle to the smooth functioning of the civil administration in those areas.


The TNA leader's comments had been made in response to a statement made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday during the third anniversary celebrations of war victory that security forces would not be withdrawn from the North and East until the LTTE threat from overseas Tamil diaspora exists.

Supreme Court decided to hear case against TNA manifesto

[ Wednesday, 02 October 2013, 02:15.43 PM GMT +05:30 ]

The Supreme Court (SC) has decided to hear the case filed against the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) election manifesto on October 23.

The decision was taken when the TNA appeared in court today to show cause as to why the court should not hear the case. After listening to the submissions made by the TNA, the Supreme Court felt there was enough grounds to go ahead with the case. A petition had earlier been filed by Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera and six others against the manifesto of the TNA at the last provincial council elections. The Supreme Court had on September 18 declined to suspend the Northern Provincial Council election after the petition was filed under Article 157 (4) A of the Constitution claim the TNA manifesto violates the sixth amendment to the constitution that prohibits any political organisation from having as one of its aims the creation of a separate state within Sri Lanka. The petitions cited ITAK General Secretary Mavai Senathirajah, TNA Leader R. Sampanthan, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya and the Attorney General as respondents.

TNA Manifesto Case To Be Heard By De Facto CJ And Others On October 23

October 3, 2013

The Supreme Court yesterday decided to proceed with hearing the five petitions filed against the Tamil National Alliance election manifesto after the party made preliminary objections in the case.

Wigneswaran-with-Sambanthan

The five petitions filed by Patriotic National Movement Representative Gunadasa Amarasekera and others under the sixth amendment to the constitution dealing with Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity came up before a bench headed by Chief Justice Mohan Peiris today. The petitioners ask the court to suspend the Northern Provincial Council elections which did not happen before the September 21 poll and also call on teh court to proscribe the TNA for violating the constitution by promoting separatism in its election policy statement. TNA General Secretary Marvai Senathirajah, TNA Leader R. Sampanthan, Elections Commissioner and the Attorney General have been cited as respondents in the case.

Appearing on behalf of the TNA, K. Kanag Iswaran PC, said the petitioners had misunderstood the manifesto and said that according to the constitution, they cannot maintain the petition.

After hearing submissions by the TNA lawyers the Supreme Court directed that the preliminary objections be tendered in writing and gave the TNA two weeks time to tender the written objections, TNA MP and lawyer for the TNA M.A. Sumanthiran said. He said the Supreme Court had fixed October 23 as the date on which the preliminary objections raised by the TNA would be taken up for support.

President’s Counsel K. Kanag Iswaran, M.A. Sumanthiran, V.T. Thavarasa, Viran Corea and Niran Ankertel, with a team of lawyers appeared for the TNA while the

Deputy Solicitor General, President Counsel Bimba Thilakaratna appeared on behalf of the Elections Commissioner. Attorney-at-Law Palitha Gamage, appeared on behalf of the petitioners.

Video: Case against TNA manifesto at SC

WEDNESDAY, 02 OCTOBER 2013

The petition filed by the Sri Lanka's Patriotic National Movement appealing to declare the election manifesto of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) contravenes the Constitution was taken up at the Supreme Court today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Justice Sidelined

By Vibhushana Pieris -October 2, 2013 

CJ’s removal blocked at Commonwealth Judges Conference: Should one compromise the integrity for private considerations 

Those in the law practice in Sri Lanka are well aware that Justice Sriskandarajah was sidelined by the Rajapaksa administration for his stand against the undermining of judiciary by the Executive. He is one of the few judges in the Court of Appeal, who had the courage to uphold the rule of law and quash the findings by the PSC that removed the CJ Shirani Bandaranayake by unlawful means. The Supreme Court did the same but Judges in both Courts failed to sustain their stand in the wake of tremendous pressure that they were brought under by the Rajapaksa regime.

Justice Sriskandarajah with De Facto CJ

The very same Judiciary that declared the whole process adopted by the Rajapaksa regime to remove CJ Bandaranayake a nullity and quashed the finding made against the Chief Justice Bandaranayake was forced to accept Mohan Pieris as the Chief Justice. These Judges did so for other quantifiable considerations such as Brand New Mercedes cars promised for all judges byMohan Pieris.

All of them knew what they were doing was amounting to betrayal of trust placed in them by the people but they did for private considerations, which was clearly deplorable and unacceptable by any means. All judges were well aware that Mohan Pieris had no moral and legal right to accept the office of the Chief Justice because there was no vacancy existed as both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal had declared the removal was a nullity and had declared process adopted to remove the CJ was also unlawful.                   Read More

Northern Chief Minister receives blessings

By Ananth Palakidnar-Wednesday, 02 Oct 2013

The Northern Province Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran soon after receiving his letter of appointment as Chief Minister of the NPC from Governor G.A.Chandrasiri gave priority for receiving the blessings from a 101 years old lady at a Home for the Age at Valakamparai ,Chulipuram, Jaffna on Tuesday.

Visiting the Valakamparai Home for the Age was the first task carried out by the new NPC Chief Minister in the backdrop of the International day of Elders yesterday.

NPC Chief minister Wigneswaran was also informed by the volunteers run the Home for the Age called `Siva poomi’(land of Siva) that the 101 years old elderly lady has even cast her vote in support of Wigneswaran at the NPC polls along with other inmates at the home.

The elderly inmates were in a joyful mood when they found the Chief Minister made it a priority to visit them soon after he was officially appointed as the NPC Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister also presented food items and gifts to the inmates at the elders’ home, sources said.

Eastern Province Wants Full Implementation of 13A and SLMC threatens to withdraw support

  Wednesday, October 2, 2013   

Eye Sri Lanka

 

 The Eastern Provincial Council yesterday passed a  resolution during its sessions last afternoon, calling for the full implementation of the 13th amendment.

The resolution wants all powers entitled to the Councils by the 13th Amendment to be granted and rejected proposals to dilute the 13A as attempted by the Government a few months ago.

The resolution was debated and passed in the Council despite massive resistance from the Eastern Province Chief Minister Najeeb A Majeed. The resolution was presented by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress whose seven members in the 37 seat EPC usually supports the UPFA.

The TNA and UNP supported the resolution while many of the UPFA councillors were not present. However, without the SLMC support, the UPFA would still not have a majority in the EPC to defeat such a resolution. The resolution passed with a majority of 16 to 1.

The Chief Minister of the Eastern Province walked out of the chamber when the SLMC and Opposition members insisted on the resolution being debated. The only Councillor to vote against the resolution was Priyantha Pathirana of the NFF led by Wimal Weerawansa.

With the resolution passed yesterday, the EPC becomes the only Provincial Council to oppose the central Government’s proposals to revise the 13A and dilute the powers of the councils. Seven other councils have approved the Government’s plans. The Northern Provincial Council which was recently elected is also likely to vote overwhelmingly against changes to the 13A.

The Government initially hoped to bring revisions to the amendment and slash the powers of the councils ahead of the Northern provincial election although the attempts failed after New Delhi exerted pressure on Colombo.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has warned that it would withdraw its support to the current administration of the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) if it drags on without finding satisfactory solution to the land problems faced by the Muslim community in Pulmoddai in the Trincomalee District. The leader of the SLMC in the EPC, A.M. Jameel, issued the warning at the monthly meeting of the EPC held on Monday.

EPC councilor, M.R. Anwer, of the SLMC brought an urgent motion in regard to the land appropriation now taking place in Pulmoddai, a traditional Muslim village, that is impacting on the Muslim community. Seconding the motion, Councillor, Jameel, who is the SLMC group leader said, lands belonging to Tamils and Muslims are being appropriated in the Eastern Province but the EPC is unable to stop such appropriation effectively. If the PC administration fails to take prompt action against such appropriation of lands, the SLMC would be forced to withdraw the support it extends to the current administration of the EPC. During the past one year rule of the current EPC administration, no meaningful steps had been taken is taken to safeguard the rights of the people

He wanted the EPC administration to take immediate, meaningful steps to solve the Pulmoddai land problems. “The Chief Minister should exercise his powers to settle land problems faced by the Muslim community.

SLMC Group Leader, A.M. Jameel, hailed the outstanding victory of the Tamil National Alliance in the Northern Provincial council election held last month, and congratulated the Chief Minister, C.V. Wigneswaran on behalf of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.

Nepotism And Regime Manipulation At Law College Colombo

October 3, 2013 

Sri Lanka Law College Principal S.W. Rodrigo has been instrumental in manipulating the recently concluded Final Examination results to ensure his own son, Oshada Rodrigo emerges at the top of his batch, Colombo Telegraph learns.

Oshada Rodrigo has achieved 78% and two subject prize, Colombo Telegraph learns.

He was previously selected by his father, the Principal to attend seminars and other events from Law College. Rodrigo Junior is presently the Education Secretary of the recently formed Sri Lanka Nidahas Shishya Sangamaya, a student union affiliated to the SLFP.

The inauguration of this new student union at Law College Colombo took place in Parliament with the principal participating.

Principal Rodrigo is best known for previously welcoming President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Namal, now a member of parliament with betel leaves when the young Rajapaksa entered Law College without qualifications for admission. Namal Rajapaksa during his tenure as a student at Law College managed to obtain almost 100 percent for several subjects at the internal examinations of the College, the answer scripts of which were corrected by Principal Rodrigo himself.

Namal Rajapaksa also topped his Law College batch, amidst major allegations of examination fraud.

He was granted special privileges on the few occasions when he attended Law College.

According to sources from Law College, Namal Rajapaksa hardly ever sat for examinations at Law College. So far, there is no disclosure of how Namal Rajapaksa entered Law College even though Principal Rodrigo has consistently defended him.

Principal Rodrigo is tipped to soon be appointed a judge of the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court.

Lankan women’s groups dismayed by restrictive rule for female migrant workers

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Women’s rights groups have expressed concern over a new circular by the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare requiring prospective women migrants to provide information on their family background and evidence of adequate childcare arrangements as a condition for leaving for employment overseas.

The Colombo-based Women and Media Collective (WMC) said this is an infringement of a woman’s right to paid work as well as a direct measure to remove from men their accountability towards the welfare of the family and the care of children.

The Government, it argued in a statement, should invest in providing long term child care to families of women employed overseas.
Last week the Supreme Court turned down a ‘leave to proceed’ application from a migrant worker who said the new ruling which also includes securing a no-objection certificate from her husband was a violation of her fundamental rights and gender discriminatory. Sri Lankan women comprise 48.3 per cent of migrant workers employed overseas. The Central Bank estimates that in 2011, Rs 335,201 million was remitted by workers employed in the Middle East where the bulk of women are employed as housemaids. The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau records that 67 per cent of women migrant workers are between the ages 25 and 44 years. These women are most likely to be married with children, the WMC said.

“The action of the Ministry sends out several extremely detrimental messages not only to working age women, but also to society in general, that the state has no hesitation in curtailing women’s right to work. The circular re-enforces patriarchal norms that lays the sole responsibility of the welfare of the family on women, clearly disregarding men’s responsibilities and accountability for the family. The fact that the circular is only applied to women is highly questionable, if the intent is to ensure that the concept of ‘the family’ is protected, since there are no such restrictions on men who also seek overseas employment as short term migrant workers. Further, it leaves open controlling and restricting the right of single mothers with children to seek employment overseas given the common perception that a family by definition includes both parents,” the WMC statement said.

The organisation has urgently requested the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare to review this decision to control women’s right to employment.

“If, as the Ministry appears to be doing positing, it is for the wellbeing of the families of migrant workers, the WMC strongly recommends that the government also introduces restrictions on overseas employment of men with infants or children,” it argued. The WMC demanded that the government, swiftly pushes through regulations that will invest a minimum of 30 per cent of all foreign exchange remittances of migrant workers for the provision of childcare assistance on a long term basis for women who need employment overseas to raise the standard of living of their children, who want to be able to build a house for the family and whose remittances have been the mainstay of state coffers for more than 30 years.

Lankan Muslim party demands undiluted provincial powers

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Colombo: Emboldened by the historic provincial election in the Tamil-dominated north, the Assembly in Sri Lanka's eastern province has adopted a resolution calling for undiluted powers to the island's provinces. 

The resolution moved by Mohamed Jameel, a councillor of the main Muslim party Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, sought undiluted powers to the provinces as stipulated in the 1987 India-backed 13A amendment and rejected proposals to dilute the amendment as attempted by the government in May. 

When the resolution was moved yesterday in the eastern provincial council sessions held in the eastern port town of Trincomalee only 17 of the 37 members were present. 

The resolution was carried 16-1 with SLMC, Tamil National Alliance and the United National Party members supporting it. 

The sole vote against came from the Sinhala majority nationalist National Freedom Front. 

The SLMC is an ally of the Rajapaksa government both at the centre and in the east but differs from the government on the issue of the 13A. 

The government early this year made an attempt to dilute the provincial land and police control powers through an urgent bill in Parliament. 

But the plan was shelved mainly due to Indian opposition. 

Analysts while discounting the validity of a mere resolution saw the move as significant in view of the Tamil party TNA's victory in the northern provincial council election late last month. 

The need to dilute provincial powers stemmed from Sinhala nationalist fears that unfettered control over land and police powers to the north would lead to TNA pursuing the separatist agenda of the LTTE to cause a division of the northern and eastern provinces. 

PTI 

Exclusive: Sajith Premadsa Only Has Sick Degrees From UK And US, London Uni Carrying Out Further Investigations

October 3, 2013 

Former UNP deputy leader and Hambantota District MP Sajith Premadasa does not have a proper degree, Colombo Telegraph can now reveal.

Premadasa’s Wikipedia page says he obtained a Bsc. Degree in Economics, International Relations and Political Science from the London School of Economics.

Ranil and Sajith

Colombo Telegraph investigations have revealed that although Premadasa was awarded a degree from LSE he did not complete his degree programme work.

Speaking to Colombo Telegraph Sajith Premadasa acknowledged that he had only sat for his first year exams at LSE because he had been sick with measles and then a paralysis of his legs which prevented him from sitting for further exams.

Premadasa gained admission to a post graduate programme in Maryland on the basis of his LSE degree but never completed his studies due to his father’s death, he told Colombo Telegraph.

Asked if he had undertaken grief  counselling when his father died in order to continue with his studies Premadasa said he had not.

His Facebook page says; A graduate of the London School of Economics (LSE) and Political Science of the University of London, his degree covered the areas of economics, politics and international relations, an education that served him in good stead later when he launched himself into grassroots politics.

“Our records show that Sajith Premadasa graduated from LSE with an undergraduate degree in international relations in 1989. We do not allow students to graduate who have not completed their course of study. I would be grateful, therefore, if you could let me know why you believe Mr Premadasa did not complete his studies at LSE?” London School of Economics and Political Science asked Colombo Telegraph.

When Colombo Telegraph revealed some of our findings the LSE replied; “Further to your call and this email, this is just to confirm we are carrying out further investigations into our records to establish the exact status of Mr Premadasa. This will require consultation with the University of London, the awarding body at the time, who hold the original records. This may take some time.”

I Have Nothing To Learn From Chandrika: Sajith Hits Back

October 2, 2013 

Hitting back against remarks made at a press conference by UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake on Monday former UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa says as a member of parliament with 13 years  of experience, he has no lessons to learn from the Chandrika Kumaratunga model of politics.

“When Chandrika Kumaratunga contested the Provincial Council elections, she was politically naive and had no previous experience. For 13 years I have been a member of parliament voted in by the people. What possible lesson could I have to learn from the Chandrika Kumaratunga model?” Premadasa said in a statement issued to the media yesterday.

Attanayake told reporters on Monday that contesting for chief minister of a province could be a good launching pad for a longer political journey, making reference to a recent request by the UNP Matara Working Committee for Premadasa to contest as the UNP’s CM candidate in the soon to be declared Southern Provincial Council elections.

Premadasa said he would rather pursue his political career in his individual style.   Read More

Drought hits Polonnaruwa

WEDNESDAY, 02 OCTOBER 2013 

More than 5,500 people had been affected by the prevailing drought in the Polonnaruwa District, Asst. Director of the Disaster Management Centre Upul Nanayakkara said.

“Statistically 5,500 people in 14,603 families have been affected by the prevailing drought in the Polonnaruwa District,” he said.

Nanayakkara said that the drought had resulted in a severe shortage of drinking water.

He said that Welikanda, Dimbulagala, Lankapura and Thamankaduwa divisions with 58 Gramaniladhari areas were the worst affected.

Majority of the affected families were in the Lankapura division.

The Asst. Director said several schools in the Dimbulagala Education Zone were on the verge of closure due to shortage of water.

Residents of the area said their garden wells, tanks and village water courses had run dry.

He said the Divisional Secretaries in the respective had taken steps to distribute drinking water using bowzers.

However, the affected people said the authorities had failed to maintain a regular supply of water and that the quantity of water issued was not adequate. (K.G.Karunaratne)