SP chops off hair of suspects in public

SP chops off hair of suspects in public

Monday, November 4, 2013

An investigation has been launched into an incident, where a Superintendent of Police (SP) is alleged to have paraded, and had thereafter cut the hair of three suspects in public, the DIG in charge of the Anuradhapura Division, B.A.D. Padmasiri, said.

The three suspects, who are alleged to have burgled a house in Rajangane, in the Thambutthegama Police Division, had been taken into custody by the Rajangane Police for stealing Rs 140,000 in cash as well as jewellery.

Subsequently, the police had recovered Rs 2,000 in cash and jewellery worth Rs 98,000.

The suspects had been detained by the police pending their appearance before the Nochchiyagama Circuit Court.....when the SP in charge of the Rajangane Police, Jeyu Ramawickrema, had arrived at the police station and had taken the suspects in a jeep to the Rajangane Yaya Division, where they were paraded before the public, after which their hair had been cut, according to the complaint lodged in this regard.

Thereafter, it was alleged that the suspects had been brought back to the police station, and were brutally assaulted.  Some residents of Rajangane had reportedly videoed the SP cutting the hair of the suspect, and sources said they are ready to forward the footage if called to do so, at an investigation.

The suspects were later produced before the Nochchiyagama Circuit Court. Magistrate, Ranjith Kekirideniya, released one of the suspects on bail while the other two were remanded till 11 November.

by Ananda Weerasuriya    CT

Mahindananda pressurises Waruni Amunugama!

 Monday, 04 November 2013 

Sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has reportedly influenced co-owner of Triad Advertising Waruni Amunugama Fernando to convince her husband, Rohan Fernando, not to contest for the position of president of the National Olympic Committee.

Posts ministry secretary Hemasiri Fernando, who had held the position three times, is not contesting due to pressure and the other contender Dian Gomes has withdrawn due to a heart surgery.

Leading businessman Rohan Fernando, also president of the Sri Lanka Yacht Club, has decided to contest.

However, sports minister Aluthgamage has proposed the name of his colleague, foreign employment promotion minister Dilan Perera, after a deal was struck between the two over the NOC presidency, a position which accompanies money and power.

After Dian Gomes withdrew, Dilan Perera hoped that he would be elected uncontested, but Rohan Fernando has come in his way.

After accepting a contract to see that Rohan Fernando is out of the race, the sports minister has telephoned Waruni Amunugama and said, “Waruni, I am making this request on behalf of the president and MP Namal Rajapaksa. Please tell your husband not to contest for the presidency.”

A shocked Waruni Amunugama immediately called MP Namal Rajapaksa and questioned him, saying, “Without using go-betweens, you would have called me directly.”

MP Namal Rajapaksa, who also seemed surprised by the news, said, “Really Waruni, father or I do not know such a thing. We haven’t told Mahindananda any such thing.”

An angry Waruni Amunugama called minister Aluthgamage and reprimanded him, but with a broad grin, he has said, “You have been associating with the Rajapaksas this long, but you don’t know about them. They are people who forget the next moment what they say.”

Anyhow, Rohan Fernando, chairman of the tea exporting firm ‘Heladiv’, has decided not to withdraw from contesting for the NOC presidency.

Government spends revenue to repay loans and instalments

 Monday, 04 November 2013 

The government has revealedin its data that it spends the revenue generated by the country to repay loans and instalments, the JVP said.

JVP politburo member, parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a news conference that the government’s Appropriation Bill for 2014 has shown that the estimated revenue is Rs. 1,542 billion while the government plans to take loans amounting to Rs. 1,200 billion.
“Therefore, the government spends the revenue on repaying loans and instalments. The government uses monies taken through loans for day to day expense. In fact, the government cannot survive without loan,” he said.

In 2012, the government has repaid loans amounting to Rs. 1,017 billion, he added.

“When the government takes loans, the foreign agencies impose conditions and the government has to then follow them,” Dissanayake pointed out.

He observed that the government should prepare the 2014 budget to meet the needs of the people and not a few members of the government.

He charged that a major portion of the 2014 budget has been allocated to the portfolios held by members of the first family and that 50% of the funds allocated to other ministries in the 2012 have not yet been given to the relevant ministries.

Champika Ranawaka’s Casino Rant Highlights JHU Hypocrisy

By Shyamon Jayasinghe -November 4, 2013 

Shyamon Jayasinghe

The current casino crisis has ruffled a government that is generally unshaken by public outrage over anything. There are many sides to the casino project of Australian gambling magnate James Packer: its economic cost-benefit, the accountability process, and the moral dimension and social repercussions that it may entail.  Minister Champika Ranawaka-frontline face of the Jathika Hela Urumaya- has decided to take up arms over the moral and social repercussions. Indeed the public expectation about the JHU at the beginning was that the party would act as a badly needed moral conscience- raiser that can rein in a government prone to excesses. That expectation vanished when that party got reined in by the establishment. Has Chamipka given us new hope?

None, it seems when a high-profile JHU monk in Parliament reportedly made a statement in favour of the casino project. According to the report the monk had stated that Sri Lanka must move ahead with the rest of the world implying thereby that the casino idea is a progressive step forward. The two contradictory stands represent in different ways the religious hypocrisy of the “morals party.” We sinners know that it is not surprising for religious groups to be hypocritical. When such groups are tied to the political bandwagon their hypocrisy is metaphorically naked.

The pro-casino monk has agreed to the government proposal with the proviso that the Five-Star casino should be confined only to foreigners. It is bad for the locals but good for foreigners. The monk has had a moment of alzheimers when he forgot that the Dhamma is for all humanity and not merely for locals. If one takes up the position that allowing this casino is something morally outrageous isn’t it bad  nestling it in Colombo- the capital of Dhammadeepa- with a massive tax haven to boot?                Read More

Data delay dilemma!

 November 4, 2013 

• Overdue of information on latest government finances causes concern
• Central Bank August report still includes only data up to April

An apparent delay in release of up-to-date government finances has caused concerns among stakeholders.

The Central Bank latest release of monthly data for August, put out on Friday still carries government finances details as of April only.

Analysts said ideally by August the first half data for the year should be out. This was the case for several years until this year.

Opposition parties which have been claiming that the Government was bankrupt noted that state revenue collection has deteriorated whilst there has been serious expenditure overruns largely due to extravagance. 

Tight cash situation within the Government including Ministries has delayed payments to private sector businesses handling public sector contracts and caused cash flow difficulties.

However officials said the non-release could be an oversight and noted revenue collection has picked up. A much improved performance is likely when data is released.

In the first four months of this year, total revenue and grants amounted to Rs. 314.8 billion, down by 4.2% from Rs. 328.7 billion a year earlier.

Total revenue was down by 4% to Rs. 313.9 billion. Tax revenue amounted to Rs. 289.8 billion, down from Rs. 297.5 billion. Non tax revenue was Rs. 24.2 billion, down from Rs. 29.1 billion.

Recurrent expenditure was up 2.3% to Rs. 471.3 billion and capital expenditure and net lending shot up by 21.7% to Rs. 187 billion.

Public debt, which too has only data up to April amounted to Rs. 6.3 trillion, up by 6% in comparison to a year earlier.

In its release of data on country’s reserves, Central Bank last week said Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves amounted to $ 6.3 billion by end August 2013 while total international reserves, including foreign reserves of commercial banks, stood at $ 7.5 billion.

“In terms of months of imports, gross official reserves were equivalent to 4.1 months of imports by end August 2013, well above the internationally accepted norm of three months of imports, while, total reserves were equivalent to 4.8 months of imports,” the Central Bank said.

What Happens When A Central Bank Issues More Money Than necessary?

By W.A Wijewardena -November 4, 2013 

Dr. W.A. Wijewardena

A reader of ‘My View’ in the previous week has informed this writer by email that it is not imprudent for a central bank to issue money in large volumes when a country needed that money to push its growth rate up. His argument, referring to Sri Lanka’s current situation, has been that when the country is faced with the challenge of economic rebuilding after a costly war, there is no alternative but to use the power of printing money by the government and consequential credit creation to promote enterprise, industry and commerce.

When credit is available at low interest rates to people in large volumes as a result of the loose monetary policy pursued by the central bank of the country, according to him, economic activities get boosted and the benefits of such economic activities outweigh the underlying presumed costs. The economic benefits are tangible and could be seen by everyone but the presumed costs by way of inflation are just a speculation. That speculation may or may not materialise depending on the future growth in the output. In all probability if the output increases, it will have a moderating impact on inflation. Hence, why worry about an inflation which is not to be seen?  Hence, he has argued that there is nothing wrong in a central bank using a loose monetary policy in order to support the government’s initiative to rebuild the economy which is the most pressing demand of the nation.

Many believe that monetary policy should support growth              Read More 

Pakistan on high alert after Taliban leader killed by US drone strike

Government says death of Hakimullah Mehsud has destroyed attempts to hold peace talks with Islamist militants

Conal Urquhart, and Jon Boone-Saturday 2 November 2013 

Link to video: US drone kills leader of Pakistani Taliban, Hakimullah Mehsud

Pakistan's security forces have been put on high alert after a CIA drone attack killed the leader of the country's Taliban, Hakimullah Mehsud, in the lawless tribal areas.

A Pakistani government minister said the strike by an unmanned aircraft on Friday had destroyed attempts to hold peace talks with the militants which began this week.

Pakistan on High Alert After Taliban Leader Killed by US Drone Strike by nelvely

No Fire Zone - Full Documentary/Movie - Channel 4 - HQ

Rape has to stop

03/11/2013

Channel 4 are currently broadcasting "No Fire Zone", the new documentary about Sri Lanka's civil war. It contains shocking footage pointing to a number of human rights violations, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Some of the most disturbing footage shows the naked bodies of murdered Tamil Tiger soldiers. The commentary strongly suggests sexual violence has taken place. It is very disturbing and upsetting. It also raises the following question:

We know William Hague cares deeply about sexual violence

• He launched a campaign on sexual violence in conflict (PSVI) with Angelina Jolie last year.
• He has persuaded 128 countries to sign a Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.
• He has deployed a 70 member team (the Stability Unit of doctors, police officers, and forensic experts) to track down and document perpetrators of sexual violence in conflicts current and historic in Congo, Syria, Bosnia, Libya, and now Burma.

We know sexual violence is rife in Sri Lanka:

• The BBC reported on a shocking case of sexual violence last week.
• ITV reported on a Tamil couple's horrific ordeal the week before.
• Frances Harrison wrote up a similar case for Granta the week before.
• The Daily Telegraph interviewed another victim on Friday.
• Roma Tearne wrote up a similar case in March.
• Human Rights Watch published 75 case studies earlier this year. 
• As the Minority Rights Group reported, it is likely this is merely the tip of the iceberg.

So why doesn't William Hague care about sexual violence in Sri Lanka? 

• The Foreign Affairs Select Committee recently characterised his policy towards Sri Lanka as "timid and inconsistent".
• He hosted the President of Sri Lanka for a champagne reception in New York.
• He is going to Sri Lanka next week to attend the Commonwealth Summit and help bestow the honour of "Chair of the Commonwealth" onto the Sri Lankan President.

This is hypocrisy. If William Hague is serious about preventing sexual violence, if his Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative is to mean anything at all, then he must apply it to Sri Lanka - not simply heap rewards on the Government whose army is committing these offenses. 

This is why we are today launching a campaign to ask William Hague to stand up for what he believes in - to deploy his team of experts to Sri Lanka, and to campaign to stop the Commonwealth lavishing any more rewards upon Sri Lanka until they deal with this problem.

Many Tamil men and women have been raped by Sri Lankan Security forces. Many multiple times. Many as recently as a few months ago. In all probability many are suffering this ordeal right now. This is an outrage and it must stop.

We have set up a form so that you can send a message to William Hague with just a few clicks. If enough of us do it in the next few days, he will have to act - or else his hypocrisy will cause major embarrassment.

So please help us by clicking here, and sending a message to William Hague.

Many of the victims of sexual violence cannot speak out, because if the fear it will happen again - to them or to their loved ones still in Sri Lanka. But you can speak out. Please use your voice.

Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict

Webcast from the United Nations event on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict

So please help us by clicking here, and sending a message to William Hague.

Is Sri Lanka a military state that devours land?

Sunday, November 03, 2013

This week, the country-wide acquiring of lands by the State in pursuit of its militarisation cum post-war tourism goals came starkly into focus when journalists trying to take photographs of civilian homes reportedly being demolished in Valikamam North were (allegedly) threatened.

There are limits to our credulity

Amusingly, the Sri Lanka Army had insisted on using the example of lands acquired for the Southern Expressway as a fitting illustration to explain as to why they are acquiring land in the Northern Province ‘to meet security requirements.’ As per Army spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya’s explanations, “when the Southern expressway was constructed, land owned by civilians was acquired legally. The same thing applies here. Land that has been acquired legally is being developed to meet security requirements” (Colombo Gazette, October 29th 2013).

Disingenuously, it had also been said that ‘photographs cannot be taken of army camps and installations for security reasons.’ While this may be true of actually constructed camps and security buildings, surely can that same rationale be applied to bare lands from which residents are being evicted allegedly for ‘security requirements’? There is a limit surely to which we can be taken as fools. 

Southern land acquisitions were different

And the Army needs to be educated when it refers to comparative examples in support of the positions that it takes, at least for consistency’s sake. The process of land acquisitions in regard to the construction of the Southern Expressway cannot, in any sense, be compared with the ongoing practice of land acquisitions by this Government not only in the North but in other parts of the country as well. 

This was well seen when Sinhala, Muslim and Tamil villagers in Dambulla were sent letters last year under the hand of the Secretary, Ministry of Defence asking them to quit their lands due to the declaring of a purported ‘sacred area’ in that city. A tad hilariously, the Minister of Lands (whose constituents also hail from that same area) came on record stating that the matter was out of his hands and that there was nothing that he could do about this. During past months, villagers in the Dambulla town had been agitating that the land on which they had resided for generations were marked to be arbitrarily taken away from them. Their pleas are not likely to be listened to.

The Southern expressway land acquisitions cannot be cited in support of such arbitrary patterns of land acquisitions under the Rajapaksa Presidency in any way. In the first instance, the funders of that expressway were careful in putting into place a well structured system of compensation where land owners who were aggrieved had a tier of appeal committees to take their complaints to when unfair and arbitrary compensation was paid. Even with that, government actions in acquiring land without payment of a single rupee of compensation was manifested. 

Judicial conditions laid down

These acquisitions were therefore legally challenged where the Supreme Court stressed the application of the ‘public trust’ doctrine to all land acquisitions. This means in short that powers vested in public authorities are not absolute or unfettered but are held in trust for the public, to be exercised for the purposes for which they have been conferred. Their exercise is subject to judicial review by reference to those purposes. 

Therefore executive power is also necessarily subject to fundamental rights review in general, and to Article 12(1) of the Constitution in particular, which guarantees equality before the law and the equal protection of the law. The “protection of the law” would include the right to notice and to be heard. Administrative acts and decisions contrary to the “public trust” doctrine and/or violative of fundamental rights would be in excess or abuse of power, and therefore void or voidable.
In that instance, the judges determined that landowners had not been given adequate notice and had not been heard and that the public trust doctrine had been violated. They were given compensation for the violation of their rights and ensured a separate right to a fair compensation package for the acquisition of their lands.

Extra-legal actions must be admitted 

The question is very simple therefore. In the case of the Valikamam landowners or, for that matter, in the case of the Dambulla villagers, were these stipulations laid down for the protections of rights of land owners, observed?
Moreover though judicial authority in Sri Lanka is perhaps not uniform on this point, surely is it not a basic condition that when the land of an individual is sought to be acquired, the precise requirement or the so-called public purpose for which it is sought to be used by the State must be made clear. A vague ground of ‘meeting security requirements’ will not do.

Months ago, a public officer from the South spluttered dissatisfaction to me over the acquisition by the Government of land on the basis that a hospital was going to be built. He found out some time later, that a luxury hotel was being constructed on that land, taken over for literal peanuts from its owner, a small time businessman who was too scared of the authorities to engage in any protests. Where is the justice in this, one might ask? These are concerns that must be kept well in mind as much as we may speed to our destinations on newly gleaming expressways. So North, East, South or Central, when the Army spokesman says that the land acquisitions that they are resorting to are ‘legal’ he must know the meaning of that word. Or he must not use the term ‘legal’ but say frankly that what is being done is far from being legal. 

This kind of honesty may indeed be more palatable given the atrocities that are committed in the name of law and order.

CHOGM opening ceremony to cost Rs 50 M

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan-Sunday, 03 Nov 2013

The four-hour opening ceremony with cultural dances and parade for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that would be held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre on 15 November, will cost the government Rs 50 million, reliable sources revealed. According to sources, there will also be a four-day expo and carnival 'reflecting the many facets of Sri Lanka,' starting from 13 November at the ground adjacent to the National Craft Council in Battaramulla which would cost another Rs 50 million.

'Reflection of Sri Lanka' will have a food court, traditional arts and craft displayed attracting local and international investors, sources added.

The programme has been organized by the Board of Investment, Export Development Board, the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Tea Board and Sri Lanka Tourism.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, Charitha Herath, stressed the Media Ministry has hired global satellite and fibre network service provider, Globcast Africa, to be the official satellite service provider to cover CHOGM.

Herath said the last five CHOGMs were also covered by Globcast Africa and that it will cover the main event as well as the Business Forum.

CHOGM 2013 is scheduled to be held from 10 to 17 November, with the participation of over 2,000 delegates and the main events will be held in Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

Herath also said the CHOGM website did not cost the ministry Rs 15 million, as alleged by a United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian.

"I would say it's too early to announce the total expenditure for the media operations of CHOGM at this moment. For several events, as far as I know, we have only paid some cash in advance and would finalize the expenditure once the event is over," he said.

C’wealth Secretariat Sending The Wrong Message To Authoritarian Regimes: Canadian Envoy

November 3, 2013 

The Commonwealth Secretariat was sending the wrong signal to anti-democratic, arbitrary and authoritarian regimes and forces by creating the impression that standards and principles count for nothing, Canada’s Special Envoy to the Commonwealth Hugh Segal said, after the second independent jurists’ report commissioned by Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma was exposed on Colombo Telegraph a few days ago.

Senator Hugh Segal

“That this legal opinion, and the other on commissioned from the former chief justice of South Africa, were kept from  the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meetings last spring and this fall, is a serious  weakening of Commonwealth purpose and standard,” Segal told Colombo Telegraph.

“This is the Commonwealth Secretariat looking away at precisely the time it should be engaging fully in defense of Commonwealth values and principles,” he charged.

Segal said that the recent and timely release by the Colombo Telegraph of the second legal opinion on impeachment by the eminent British Jurist and scholar, of Sir Jeffrey Jowell,QC, underlines the difficulty in which the Commonwealth Secretariat  finds itself.

“The clear violation Sir Jeffrey cites o by the impeachment, of Latimer House Principles -an integral part of the Charter of the Commonwealth-signed last March by Her Majesty in the presence of High Commissioners from the Commonwealth in London, including those of Canada and Sri Lanka,is fundamental to the core values and principles that define Commonwealth membership,” the Canadian Senator said.Related posts;

He said that all Commonwealth members and the 2.3 billion citizens of the Commonwealth have and had the right to expect more,including,of course, the residents of Sri Lanka.”    Related posts; 

CHOGM summit in Sri Lanka faces heat from international rights groups

Kajal Iyer, Suhasini Haidar,

 Chennai: India's participation in the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka continues to face uncertainty. With no end to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's dilemma over alleged war crimes against Tamils by the Sri Lankan government, international rights group are now putting pressure on India to skip the summit. They have been emboldened after the release of a video by a British channel that allegedly shows the brutalisation of an LTTE television anchor.

Battle lines are clearly drawn between those who want him to attend CHOGM and those insisting he shouldn't. CPI Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu D Raja says the PM should not overlook the unanimous resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

"I don't understand why is the PM not responding. He must take a stand," said Raja.

Those who are against the PM's visit to Colombo include Finance Minister Cabinet P Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu government and state Assembly and international rights group like Amnesty and HRW.

But equally strong arguments are being made by those in favour of the summit who believe Indian not participating will affect the country's standing in the region and Commonwealth. These include the Sri Lanka government, Commonwealth countries like Australia and UK, and foreign policy advisors.

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has come out and spoken in favour of India's participation. "India is an important member of CHOGM and the PM must attend the summit."

Amidst the tussle between India's diplomatic responsibilities and domestic pressure, Chidambaram met DMK chief M Karunanidhi to explain the government's position. Sources in the DMK say they are unhappy because of the non comittal assurance given by Chidambaram. Meanwhile, on the CHOGM, many ministers as well as senior leaders are expressing reservation against the PM's visit.

All this clearly seems be of no help in the helping PM take a decision to visit Colombo, where all arrangements have been made.

William Hague’s Hypocrisy On Sexual Violence Condemned: Sri Lanka Campaign

November 3, 2013 

The Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice has condemned British Foreign Secretary William Hague‘s hypocrisy on the issue of sexual violence, saying his public campaign on the subject and his continued support of the Commonwealth summit in Colombo was at odds.

William Hague

The rights group said Sri Lanka was a country whose military is accused of the systemic rape of Tamil detainees.

Fred Carver, Campaign Director of the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice, said many Tamil men and women have been raped by Sri Lankan Security forces. “Many multiple times. Many as recently as a few months ago. In all probability many are suffering this ordeal right now. This is an outrage and it must stop,” Carver said.

“Mr Hague is going to the Commonwealth Summitin Sri Lanka, against the advice of many who feel that in doing so he is helping to whitewash the crimes of the Sri Lankan regime. He must countermand the unhelpful signals this attendance is sending by taking a tough stand on sexual violence. To do otherwise would be hypocrisy.” he said.

The Sri Lanka Campaign has called on Hague to campaign to prevent Sri Lanka from taking on the Chairmanship of the Commonwealth, publicly condemn sexual violence by the Sri Lankan army and deploy his team of experts on preventing sexual violence to Sri Lanka.

India wants probe on Ch 4 clip

[ Sunday, 03 November 2013, 12:30.06 PM GMT +05:30 ]

India on Saturday called on the Sri Lankan government to investigate into the latest Video by Britain’s Channel 4, which contained alleged rape and murder of an LTTE female combatant, the PTI news agency reported.

“I also watched the clippings of the video and I believe the contents are true. It was a brutal and merciless act. The Sri Lankan government has the responsibility to identify and punish those who are behind the act,” Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters after meeting DMK chief M. Karunanidhi in Chennai. According to a report on the website of the British television channel, the young woman shown in the footage as being captured by men in army fatigue, and later lying unconscious or dead with a gash across her face is Isaipriya, a newsreader for the LTTE’s television channel. However, Army spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya termed the video clip a completely false creation by Channel 4.

No Fire Zone: Commonwealth Rehabilitating Sri Lankan Regime

November 3, 2013 

Spin the clock forward.  It’s 2018.  You’re four-and-a-half years older and you’ve just woken up to the headlines: more than 50 world leaders are heading to the Syrian capital, Damascus, for a global summit, hosted by President Bashar al-Assad. Syria’s at peace, it’s economy, thriving. The tourists are back and the “terrorists”, vanquished. Mr Assad is basking in golden glow of total victory. And the terrible war crimes of which he was once accused? Swept under the carpet, in the spirit of looking forward, not back.  Triumphant, magnanimous, his charming wife at his side, the dictator-turned-statesman grasps the hand of the British Prime Minister, and shakes it firmly, live on TV. A huge grin splits Assad’s face. He’s back in the fold – and he knows it.

Read more - By Jonathan Miller