UNP: Dying From Friendly Fire

By Dharisha Bastians -October 7, 2013 

Dharisha Bastians

When rival factions of the United National Party clashed on the main streets of Matara on Saturday afternoon, passions and adrenaline appeared to be running higher than it ever did during party’s campaign rallies that preceded polling day last month.

Simmering frustrations within the country’s main opposition party reached an extraordinary crescendo when pro-Ranil supporters clashed with anti-Ranil marchers in the Southern city, injuring at least seven people. Guns and blunt weapons were used by both sides in the bizarre clashes that resulted in at least one high profile arrest when expelled UNP member and Southern Provincial Councillor Maithri Guneratne’s father and author Herman Guneratnewas taken into police custody in connection with a shooting during the street fight. The 75 year old Guneratne was produced before the Matara Additional Magistrate yesterday and remanded until today (7). UNP Provincial Councillor Krishantha Pushpakumara suffered a gunshot injury to his leg during the clash.

Twenty two others were also arrested on Sunday, including UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera who is alleged to have led the pro-Ranil protestors in his electorate. Saramaweera was released after questioning.

The proxy war between UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and his challenger Sajith Premadasa was waged in Matara between the pro-Ranil Samaraweera and the pro-Sajith radical provincial councillors Maithri Guneratne and Shiral Lakthilake. Both young lawyers were sacked from the UNP earlier this year for their complicity in an attack on the party headquarters Sirikotha in December 2011 after Wickremesinghe was re-elected Leader in a much anticipated leadership contest.  

The Matara clashes were not the first time the internecine battles within the UNP have descended into violence, but it was the first time that the blood of party members has been spilled. In a democratic space that is rapidly shrinking because of the desperate lack of an effective and engaged opposition, it appears in-fighting is the only thing the UNP can muster any real energy for.               Read More

The UNP’s Implosive Collapse & A Dying Democracy

| by Dr Dayan Jayatilleka

( October 6, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The attack on the anti-Ranil march and the resultant punch-up in the South over the weekend brought home a fourfold political truth:

1. The UNP which was haemorrhaging votes and MPs is now spilling blood in fratricidal political strife. (What next? A grenade attack on an anti-Ranil rally?)

The UNP’s Implosive Collapse & A Dying Democracy by nelvely

The Constitution, Court, Cocker Spaniel And Colombian Haka Over Land (Part I)

By Rajan Philips -October 6, 2013 

Rajan Philips

“It is a pity … the new constitution has all the marks of a hasty, slip-shod and flabby draft …” -   Dr. NM Perera, Critical Analysis

It is not just the constitution of 1978 that NM critically analysed when it was new and hot off the press, but even the thirteenth amendment that came ten years later reeks of  slip-shod and flabby drafting.  And nowhere more so than on the subject of land.  The Supreme Court ruling last week appears to be circumscribed by the flabbiness of the constitution and has led to different interpretations of what the Court ruling has said – whether the matter of land is a Provincial Council or Central Government subject.  The ruling has inspired a haka dance among those who are not happy with the results of  the Northern Provincial Council election.  The political twist following the court ruling has once again targeted JR Jayewardene for over the top polemic abuse.  The former sphinx, the old fox, is now a cocker spaniel – for want of a nationalist pedigree among Lankan dog lovers.  Political clowning has turned the court ruling into a symbol of national fighting spirit.

More seriously, the Supreme Court ruling gives the context, not just the pretext, to bring the subject of land under a different, less adversarial and more comprehensive, microscope.  Even as we are respectful of the court’s ruling on the constitutional rights over land, we must also be mindful of the other vital dimensions of land that transcend ephemeral legal interpretations – land as the foundation of human existence and as a fundamental resource for economic production and environmental protection.  It is also necessary to see in historical perspective how political, social and economic factors have shaped the evolution of legal and administrative practices in regard to land and property rights over nearly 200 years.                               Read More

Activities Of Monks In The Guise Of Protecting 

Buddhism

By Kapila Abhayawansa -October 7, 2013

Prof Kapila Abhayawansa

It is undisputed that the prime duty and responsibility of the Buddhist monk is to strive for the protection, promotion and enhancement of Buddhism or Buddhist dispensation (Buddha-Sasana). In this respect activism among Buddhist monks is inevitable for the reason that the Buddha established the Order of monks with the vision of the promoting Buddhism. Only if monks follow the code of conduct (Vinaya) and give instruction to the people with regard to the practice of the path leading to the cessation of suffering (the Dhamma) they would be implementing the mission of the Buddha for an ideal society.

The exemplary conduct of life by the Sanga is a must for the promotion of Buddhism.This is quite evident form the objectives of the Order which are, “for the confidence of those who do not have confidence (appasannānam pasādāya) and for the increase of the confidence of those who have already confidence (pasannānam vā bhiyyobhāvāya). Jotiya Dhirasekara observes: “… the Buddha was always concerned with the esteem in which the public held his monastic organization. Such a consideration was vital for its existence and prosperity. The first remarks which he made to his erring disciples as he criticized their conduct always pertain to this”. In such occasions the Buddha criticized one who is the miscreant by saying “Oh! Foolish man, this does not lead to the confidence of those who do not have confidence and to increase the confidence of those who have already confidence.”

Read More

The UNP And Opposition Political Landscape 

By Harim Peiris-Sunday, October 06, 2013

Ranil Wickramasinghe has many lessons he can learn historically from Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike and currently from Rajavarothiam Sambanthan about being a viable opposition and over time a credible alternative government.

The recent elections to three provincial councils, namely the Northern, North Western and Central and the consequent results together with the general political expectations that several more provincial elections would be held next year followed by national, presidential and general elections, make the opposition or non UPFA political landscape a rather important factor in determining the extent of a genuine alternative or real challenge to the current Rajapaksa Regime.

The UNP And Opposition Political Landscape by nelvely

MANGALA EXPLAINS WHY HE SUPPORTS RANIL

October 6, 2013 

UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera today said that Sri Lanka needs a leader who is not tainted with corruption, who can rally the international community behind the country’s development and that the only leader who fits the bill is Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramesinghe.

Mangala Explains Why He Supports Ranil by nelvely

Police surrounds Mangala's house

Sunday, 06 October 2013 

The United National Party (UNP) Communications Chief Matara District UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera's residence in Matara has been surrounded by the Police, "Sri Lanka Mirror" learns.

According to reports, officers who arrived at the scene are attached to the Hakmana police station.

When inquired by the Sri Lanka Mirror, Mr. Mangala Samaraweera said that a group of police officers from the Hakmana police station had come to his residence stating that there were looking for a group of youngsters who was allegedly involved in a quarrel during the "Shiral-Maithree" protest march.

Mr. Samaraweera said that he told the police officers that if they can name these youth, he may be able to present them to the police through lawyers.

He further said that according to what he has heard, a group of Govt allied politicians are at the Matara police station, watching video footage of Sirasa TV channel and ordering the police to arrest the UNP activists in them.

He confirmed that there are provincial level politicians Raj Chandralal and Chaminda de Silva along with the private secretary of Minister Dullas Alahapperuma - Udaya Hiththatiyage are among these politicians.

At the moment police squads have gone to the houses of 18 UNP youth activists to arrest them, Mr. Samaraweera said.

He further said : "Later, I phoned Matara SSP Deshabandu Tennakoon and informed him that if the police could provide a list of these young activists said to be connected to the incident, I would hand them over to the police through lawyers."

The "Shiral-Maithree" protest march from Dewundara to Colombo, demanding the immediate resignation of the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe from his post, was held today (05).

However, a tensed situation erupted when the march closed into Matara city and 3 people have been admitted to the hospital due to serious injuries caused by the bullets fired by Mr. Herman Gunaratne, the father of Mr. Maithree Gunaratne, who had come along with the protest march.

Among them are the Deputy Chairman of the UNP Matara district committee Jaliya Jayawardena and UNP Southern Provincial Councilor Krishantha Pushpakumara.

Prior to the shooting incident, the protestors of the "Shiral-Maithree" march and the protestors of the "Protecting Ranil" parade clashed with each other, and few people including Mr. Maithee Gunaratne's son Charitha Gunaratne were injured and were hospitalized.

Courtesy - http://www.srilankamirror.lk/

Sirasa Chief And Presidential Advisor Herman Involved In Violence Against UNP Members In Matara – Mangala

October 6, 2013 

As the leadership crisis in the United National Party reached an extraordinary climax with the Sajith and Ranil factions clashing in the southern city of Matara yesterday the Party’s Communications Chief and Matara District strongman Mangala Samaraweera accused the owner of a leading private television station of backing the anti-Ranil groups on contract from the ruling Rajapaksa regime.

At least seven people were injured when clashes erupted between protesting pro and anti Ranil factions. UNP Provincial Councillor Pushpakumara was suffered a gunshot injury to his leg. The march from Dondra to Colombo was led by ousted UNP provincial councillors Maithree Guneratne and Shiral Lakthilake. Guneratne’s father Herman Guneratne a loyalist of the Rajapaksa regime was arrested in connection with Pushpakumara’s shooting. Herman Guneratne was found to have a holster on his person to hold a personal weapon.

Maithree Guneratne’s marchers were demanding the resignation of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.                  Read More

Court Cancels Maithree Guneratne’s Anti-Ranil March From Matara

October 6, 2013 

The Matara Additional Magistrate has ruled against the anti-Ranil protest march from Dondra to Colombo saying it was illegal based on a complaint made by the police.

Violence erupted on the streets in the southern city last afternoon when the Sajith and Ranil factions clashed as the Maithree Guneratne led march took off from Dondra. At least seven people including a UNP Provincial Councillor was injured in gunfire when the protests turned unruly. Guneratne’s father Herman Guneratne,a close associate of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested in connection with the shooting by Matara police.

The Matara Magistrate ordered that the police use force if necessary to disband any attempt to restart the march.

Rajapakse–Kili-Sajith–Maithri-Shiral conspirators caught red handed in one net

(Lanka-e-News-06.Oct.2013, 10.AM) When a march was staged based on a conspiracy hatched by the troika Rajapakse –Kili –Shiral, following the Presidential advisor Herman Gunaratne’s shooting at the crowd , Southern provincial council (PC) Opposition leader Krishantha Pushpakumara alias Rattharanu sustained injuries and was admitted to the Karapitiya hospital. Among those injured in the shooting was also Janaka Sanjeewa the younger brother of Gayan Sanjeewa , a PC member.

Rajapakse–Kili-Sajith–Maithri-Shiral conspirators caught red handed in one net by nelvely

Video Evidence: Herman Guneratne Shoots UNP Supporters

October 6, 2013
Herman Guneratne was arrested by Matara police last evening after he used a personal weapon to shoot at pro-Ranil protestors during what was supposed to be a peaceful march to oust UNP Leader. He was produced before the Matara Additional Magistrate today and remanded. Herman is the father of expelled UNP reformist and Southern Provincial Councillor Maithri Guneratne.

Herman Guneratne Remanded

October 6, 2013

The father of expelled UNP reformist and Southern Provincial Councillor Maithri Guneratne has been remanded in connection with a shooting at the UNP riot in Matara yesterday.

Herman Guneratne was arrested by Matara police last evening after he used a personal weapon to shoot at pro-Ranil protestors during what was supposed to be a peaceful march to oust UNP Leader. He was produced before the Matara Additional Magistrate today and remanded.

Herman Guneratne is reported to be a close associate of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

UNP Provincial Councillor Nisthantha Pushpakumara suffered a gunshot injury to the leg. Maithree Guneratne’s son was also reportedly wounded in the attack.

UNP MP and Matara district strongman Mangala Samaraweera was also detained by the police and released after questioning a short while ago.

More than 20 others have been arrested in connection with the violence in which seven were injured, at least one very seriously

Disfigurement of Sri Lanka

by Rajasingham Jayadevan

They went after the Burghers…. Burghers are not known in Sri Lanka now!

They went after the Tamils…. Tamils are not been subdued yet!!

They are now going after the Muslims…. Muslims are almost mollified!!!

They are trying their best with the Christians……………!!!! and no one speaks about them!!!!

Now the turn is on the questioning international community….

will they succeed?!!!!!

‘If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it’ - Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's minister of propaganda 

 

Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's minister of propaganda speaking to a patient.

Dr Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Sri Lanka, reviving the diabolical rabble-rousing scallywag.

( October 6, 2013, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The British did not adequately consider the concerns of the minorities and left the island nation in 1948, thinking that safeguards provided in its parting Soulbury constitution will adequately safeguard them. If the Soulbury constitution had prevailed with the accommodative spirit of the Sinhala majority rule, Sri Lanka would have been a exceptional country in the world map.

Disfigurement of Sri Lanka by nelvely

Colombo Telegraph Has The Honour Of Being First Sri Lankan Site In ‘Guardian Select’

By Colombo Telegraph -May 16, 2012 

Colombo Telegraph has the honour of being first Sri Lankan site to be approved for inclusion in ‘Guardian Select‘. Colombo Telegraph was proposed for membership of Guardian Select by Diversity Advertising. Diversity Advertising is comprised exclusively of independent professional news media publishers, and each website is then checked and approved for Guardian Select membership by Guardian editorial. Guardian Select bring together the very best independent publishers from across the web.

Guardian Select  Tweet added on May 31, 2021

guardianselect ‏@guardianselect

Colombo Telegraph Has The Honour Of Being First Sri Lankan Site In ‘Guardian Select’ | Colombo Teleg http://fb.me/1lkJrAPxu

Join Us – Ravaya Solidarity Appeals Diaspora

August 8, 2013 

To All Friends,

Standing up for media freedom and independence in Sri Lanka

Dear colleagues and friends,

As you know by now, we as a group have been for the past two months campaigning to raise 20 million SL rupees (US $ 154,000 apprx.) to keep the “Ravaya” weekend Sinhala newspaper independent, the way it stayed over 25 years and, still better.

As most of you know, over the past 25 years, there were many efforts by numerous persons and organisations to serve the Sinhala readership with different and dissenting views through many newspapers, mostly tabloid, but none could survive for different reasons, other than State interventions and restrictions. Ravaya remained the only newspaper that grew into a broadsheet, starting as a tabloid and still maintains its independent identity, despite shortcomings and criticism. This gave Ravaya a large loyal readership among opinion making social activists, academics, artistes and even among politicians.

The reason for our quick intervention was to stall the proposed 40 percent buy over by Milinda Moragoda for 20 million rupees allowing him to have 02 out of the 05 members in the Ravaya Governing Board. In consequence, we have agreed, that we would initially raise 10 mn rupees (US $ 77,000 apprx.) within 03 months and thereafter raise the balance 10 mn rupees for development of Ravaya as a very modern, sustainable professional media voice and improve its capacities and facilities.                           Read More

Get the feel of freedom in the north

Defence Secretary says many countries are still unaware of positive developments taking place after the war

By Shaveen Jeewandara-Sunday, March 31, 2013

“This is not so much about Gotabaya Rajapaksa the Defence 

Herman GunaratneSecretary, but Gotabaya Rajapaksa the soldier,” said well-known planter and author Malinga Herman Gunaratne, delivering the introduction last Monday at the Lighthouse Hotel, Galle, to ‘A discussion on Gota’s War’, one of the highlights of the Serendib Coast Festival 2013.

Get the Feel of Freedom in the North by nelvely

Colombo Telegraph Blocked, How To Reach Us Now: Sri Lanka Telecom And Mobitel Joins The DPI Club!

August 8, 2013 

Starting the Friday, 23rd of August 2013 a large number of connections to http://www.colombotelegraph.com were failing. Readers of the website started to report that the site was not available inside of Sri Lanka from some Internet providers.

Colombo Telegraph is strictly a public interest website relating to Sri Lankan matters and is run completely voluntarily by a group of exiled journalists. The site gives space to a wide range of political views and censored/ underreported stories. Colombo Telegraph has the honour of being first and only Sri Lankan site to be approved for inclusion in ‘Guardian Select‘. It was checked and approved for Guardian Select membership by Guardian editorial. Guardian Select bring together the very best independent publishers from across the web.

History of Colombo Telegraph blocking

First -December 26, 2011 - We are blocked but we will not be stopped

Second - May 8, 2012 -Colombo Telegraph Blocked Again

Third - March 29, 2013  - Sri Lanka Blocks Colombo Telegraph and Selected Tweets: Colombo Telegraph Unblocked

Other attempts 

October 26, 2012 - Colombo Telegraph Was Hacked

August 9, 2012 ColomboTelegraph Password Cracking Attempt Blocked

Freedom House Report: Freedom On The Net 2012, Sri Lanka Is A Country At Risk

As the server has been blocked in the past, it was reasonable to believe that blocking was taking place again. In order to verify the cause of the problem we checked 500 different connections inside of Sri Lanka to see from where such blocking was taking place.

Who is blocking the site?

Read More