Sunday, November 10, 2013

Law College Principal who passed Namal illicitly victim of condom theory : Forced to resign

(Lanka-e-News-09.Nov.2013, 11.55PM) Based on Buddhist tenets , retribution is inescapable and has to be faced in this life itself . We are in receipt of a rare report involving the SL law college principal which proves the truth of this Buddhist tenet as well as the curse that closely trails Medamulana Rajapakse condom theory : the law College Principal Dr. W.D. Rodrigo who fell under these curses had tendered his letter of resignation from his post today.

Hereunder is a report which gives details of the curse that befalls anyone who follows and fawns on the sinners .

It is this Dr. Rodrigo the principal of law College who stooped to the lowliest levels to give preferential treatment to Namal Rajapakse M.P. the descendent of the uneducated Rajapakses with an ancestry of illiteracy, to pass the law college exam final by providing him with an air conditioned room and a special computer when Namal was sitting the exam, after welcoming Namal with a betel sheaf and on bended knees. This shameless conduct of Dr. Rodrigo is known world wide. It is all these sordid and unscrupulous activities of Dr. Rodrigo that contributed to make Namal a Lawyer , synthetic though.

Dr. Rodrigo who orchestrated this whole examination racket , perhaps thought if ‘Lokka’s’ moronic son can be made to pass via a fraud , why not my own son who is not that demonic.

When Dr. Rodrigo’s son sat the law exam recently , the other candidates sitting the exam suspected something fishy about the manner in which Rodrigo’s son sat the exam and answered the question papers. Their suspicions were further heightened when the results were released which revealed he had secured around 80 marks in three subjects and has passed the exam.

This Principal’s son who is a notorious duffer at studies , was seen handing over his answers scripts within about half an hour of commencement of the exam along with a set of papers which were all blank, by other candidates sitting the exam with him.

Since a huge and cry was raised against this , the legal education council conducted an investigation. The council comprising the attorney general and two supreme court judges summoned the Principal’s son and questioned him . When he was questioned verbally based on the ‘excellent’ answers he had written at the exam , the son had been clueless . He had been unable to give a proper answer to any of the questions verbally asked ,and had begun to panic.

Upon further interrogation it had come to light that the Principal had deliberately delayed sending the question papers and answer scripts to the examiners marking them. The blank papers that were attached to the answer script of his son had also been filled with answers afresh. Several others who toed this line had also been exposed.

Following this exposure Dr. Rodrigo had been asked to honorably resign his post or else he would have to be sacked. In the circumstances , he had handed over his resignation letter today.

Officially his resignation will take effect in December. Nainjal Hatch had been appointed as acting Principal during the interim period.

The exam results of Rodrigo’s son and 14 other students had been suspended.

It is sad to note that Medamulana backwoods land crocodiles do not like to see others succeed through rackets learnt from them. They have therefore used their condom theory to oust the Law College Principal who tried to pass his son in the law college exam resorting to the underhand methods that were employed to pass Namal Rajapakse in the law exam.

Rodrigo who sacrificed his lofty position and honor at the altar of sycophantic, shameless ,sordid goals for and on behalf of the Rajapakses met with his waterloo as every human has to when he sins . Lord Buddha said not for nothing when he preached on ‘ Karma’ - retribution is inescapable and it takes toll in this world right here .

Allegations Against Magistrate For Favouritism

By Nirmala Kannangara-Sunday, November 10, 2013

A complaint has been lodged with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) by an Attorney at Law against a Magistrate for committing irregularities and insulting lawyers.

K. V. Lal Shantha, Attorney at law, has made complaints to the Secretary, JSC against the Magistrate alleging irregularities in carrying out duties and violating laws and insulting lawyers.

Allegations Against Magistrate for Favouritism by nelvely

Casino-opponent Wimal Weerawansa is behind Salaka Casino!

Sunday, 10 November 2013

It has been revealed that the ‘Salaka Regino’ casino that was raided by the organized crime unit of the police a few days ago had been run by engineering and construction services minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife Shashi Weerawansa and Sudharma Nettikumara, the wife of Salaka Group owner Gamini Nettikumara.

Mrs. Nettikumara had operated the casino, with investments by a sister of minister Weerawansa, who is in Italy, without any disruption due to her close connection with director general of the Media Centre for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle.

Minister Weerawansa’s sister had used the casino to clean black money in Italy. Following a dispute with Shashi Weerawansa, it was Sudharma Nettikumara who had run the casino on her own. She had even refused to pay the minister’s wife her dues, on the strength of her close connection with the MCNS chief.

Minister Weerawansa has mediated in resolving the dispute, and got the police to raid the place. On the strength of their connections with Lakshman Hulugalle, top officers and intelligence officers of the Army had been playing casino at the time of the raid. Disregarding their position, police had arrested all present at the casino. As a result, the organized crime unit was disbanded within 24 hours. The police officers involved have asked minister Weerawansa to mediate and get them cleared.

Chandrika asked to be leader of Tiran’s party!

Sunday, 10 November 2013

Former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has been asked to accept leadership of the registered political party bought by MP Tiran Alles, by a representative of the parliamentarian, internal sources of ‘Mawbima’ newspaper say. The representative of Tiran Alles in this matter is popular columnist Upul Joseph Fernando, who had made the request to Mrs. Kumaratunga over the phone.

Noting that no party in the opposition was capable of toppling the Rajapaksa regime, he had told the ex-president that she was the only leader who can do so. “Ranil is a puppet of the government. Karu is good for nothing. Sajith is not ready yet. Only Madam can do it. If you accept, we will form the opinion. Sirasa too, is with us. We only want Madam to say OK,” he has encouraged her.

She has responded, “I cannot decide it now. I still belong to the SLFP. The other thing is that Rajapaksa will
profit from what you do.”

Although taken back a little by her response, Tiran Alles’ representative has set to work to ‘form the opinion’ even without Mrs. Kumaratunga’s permission. Accordingly, a news article has been planted in Tiran Alles’ newspaper ‘Ceylon Today’ as the lead story.

The article in question claims Sajith Premadasa-led UNP reformists have met and discussed with the former president. Being forewarned that such an article was going to be published, Mrs. Kumaratunga has sent a message to the representative of Tiran Alles that if the falsehood is published, she would take legal action against the newspaper. A frightened ‘Mawbima’ editorial has stopped the printing of the newspaper and included an amended article. But, the truth is that Mrs. Kumaratunga had met only UNP MP Ashok Abeysinghe prior to the local government polls. She had known him since the time he was in the SLFP.

It was Mrs. Kumaratunga who had first congratulated Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya when he was appointed chairman of the UNP leadership council. She wished him and the council to form a strong oppositon, saying a strong opposition was a must for a democracy.

Police officers who raided Ravi Wijeratne ‘s gambling den under the guillotine – Namal is behind

(Lanka-e-News-09.Nov.2013, 11.55PM) The immediate transfers given at the instigation of and on the orders of Namal Rajapakse to all the police officers who conducted the raid assisted by a high ranking police officer on a massive casino and gambling den near Colombo Town Hall which was run illicitly and secretly by a casino ‘King’, had rudely shocked the entire nation . This most deplorable and reprehensible action of a Parliamentarian elected by the people to uphold and respect the laws of the country instead brazenly and blatantly encouraging law breaking , particularly when this M.P. happens to be the son of the President of Sri Lanka has sent a wave of unbelievable shock across the entire nation and has stained the country’s moral standards , while also underlining further the utter lawlessness prevailing in the country under the despotic Rajapakse regime.

The name of this gambling den situated opposite the Town Hall at Dharmapala mawatha , Colombo 07 is ‘ Salaka Regino’.Though the premises belongs to the duo Gamini and Sudharma NethhiKumar , the casino den had been run by Ravi Wijeratne the notorious casino mogul of Sri Lanka (SL). Though this infernal den had been run illegally , the arms of the law had not been able to trap the owners because the ‘Police Prince of hell’ of SL, the notorious DIG Anura Senanayake is having links with it and been receiving his under the counter kickbacks from the gambling den magnate. Among the big time associates in this infernal casino den are Sajith Vaas Gunawardena and some Deputy Ministers. It has only now come to light that Namal Rajapakse also visits this den.

In any case , the information received from an informant by the OIC , K .C.P . Abeyratne of the Colombo organized crimes division affiliated to the police headquarters was : a group of underworld criminals are acting as spies near this den.

It is only after the crime division raided the place , it had become known that this is a venue where ‘special’persons and VIPs frequent. In order to enter this place , each guest has to show at least Rs. 15000 in cash . Arrack is freely served to the gamblers within. Prostitution too is on offer. There is a pimp named ‘Chutta’ to procure them . All prostitutes are got down by mobile phone calls. No sooner a phone call is given ,than the whore arrives . This business is run by a woman called Sewwandi. Notorious DIG Anura Senanayake in charge of Colombo with the most ignominious reputation among the officers of the police is providing the necessary protection for this mobile phone prostitution trade.

Following Abeyratne IP passing the information to the organized crime division Director SSP R. B. S. Ganeshanathan , on latter’s instructions , a court search warrant had been obtained and a raid was conducted on ‘Casino regino’ on the 3 rd night. 23 police officers of the Colombo organized crime investigation division had participated in this raid.

There were casino three tables and an illegal gambling den in this Casino regino while 43 gamblers who were there had also been taken into custody. After the suspects were produced before the court on the following day , the three suspects who were operating the place were fined Rs. 50,000 each , while a fine of Rs. 100 only could be imposed on those who were engaged in gambling under the old legal provisions.

Interestingly , the individuals who were most hurt and angered by the raid conducted on an illegal gambling den which had been run for the last 6 years without let or hindrance , was the senior DIG Anura Senanayake and Suddharma ( a quean in the lusty arms of every VIP and the ‘powerful’), who are co owners of this den. Ravi Wijeratne the SL casino ‘King’ alias ‘sin more King’ who runs this den is enjoying the full unstinted backing of Sajth Vaas Gunawardena and Namal Rajapakse .

Hence , the natural outcome of the raid on this infernal den ? The police officers who performed their duties duly were brought within the firing range and vindictive target of all these law breaking VIP scoundrels and rascals.

The senior DIG in charge of the organized crime investigation divisions all Island including the Colombo branch is I M . Karunaratne the police officer who has built a most disgraceful reputation as the greatest bribe taker the world has known. Part of the bribes and kickbacks collected by the other corrupt scoundrel Anura Senanayake is channeled to Karunaratne.The latter is a close crony of Sajith Vaas Gunawardena.

What this group of scoundrels did next was , addressed a letter to the IGP requesting him to immediately transfer these 23 police officers who performed their duties duly by raiding an illegal gambling den. By that time Namal Rajapakse and Gotabaya Rajapakse have exerted pressure on the IGP to effect these transfers to all the officers involved in the raid except Ganeshanathan . However IGP has not placed his signature in favor of this request. It is Director , team and administration SP R.D.S. Galgomuwa who had signed it.

The 23 duly law enforcing officers against whom the lawless Rajapakse brutes are taking revenge are :

OIC K.C.P Abeyratne IP
Attanayake IP
Somaratne SI
Siriwardena SI
3 Sergeants
15 constables and
One woman police officer

This is the biggest ‘crime’ and injustice committed against the Colombo organized crime investigation since its inauguration in 2003 .This group of specialized officers who were transferred via the diabolic manipulations of top notch unscrupulous political and police bigwigs , have attended six special police training courses and have a wealth of experience in this sphere of police operations. Meanwhile ,the Rajapakse unlawful conduct apart , their stoking and spreading lawlessness in the country is being frowned upon by the entire police department with disgust and dismay.

The whole country is waiting and watching to see what action the politicians and Bhikkhus who screamed from roof tops against casino and gambling are going to take. Are they going to be deaf and dumb while being right in the midst of this egregious lawlessness and outrageous sacrilegious activities which are destroying the very fabric of the country morally , socially, culturally and economically ?

“Monkey See, Monkey do:” A Rural Version Of The National Scene

By Emil van der Poorten -November 10, 2013

Emil van der Poorten

If people think that urban models cannot be adapted to rural circumstances, I have an example that should dispel that myth quite conclusively!

Backhoe #1 at work with a dog seeming to ask “Monawa Karannada?”

The whole business of “Familial Rule,” with the active support of particularly less-savoury elements within the political firmament has constantly been thrust on the consciousness of the public of this country where probity and decency were considered the hallmarks of decent politicians in the years immediately following independence. Exceptions there were, even then, but that is precisely what they were, exceptions, and not the broad rule that they are today. In fact, what should have been exceptions have become completely a part of the ruling power structure that governs this country. Thieves, murderers, rapists and common-or-garden thugs have become part of the elite of Sri Lanka and at every level of government, it seems. Read More

The Biological Death Of Gamani Corea – A Farewell

By Inka K -November 10, 2013

Dr Gamani Corea “A gentleman par excellence”, as mentioned in the funeral oration by Dr Tissa Vitarana, and a son of the soil who rose to one of the highest international positions ever held by any Lankan is now ashes and dust. A trickle of people gathered for the last service for him, on strangely his Birthday. I am sure those of us who gathered there annually for a Birthday service and refreshments to share his gentle smile and few comments, felt a tug at the heart strings. The brilliant brain had gone into hibernation leaving only the amiability and that lovely full smile in the past few years. Malini Kotelalwala the ever constant supervisor of Horton Lodge (lately with largely clipped wings owing to circumstances rather than her health and defiant spirit) summoned us all every 4th of November be it rain or shine….

Dr. Gamani Corea

Horton Lodge was an open house for people from all walks of life. There was always food and drink and rest and conversation there. Two prime ministers of this country John Kotelawala who grew up there and Dudley Senanayake (who visited Gamani’s mother every day if he was in Colombo) were frequently seen there. You could say the house and its women (Alice K / Freda C) hosted the country’s unofficial planning and policy making always with the best interest of the country and people. Hot arguments between dissenting cousins like RG Senanayake the ever rebellious son of FR would have also helped streamline and shape the process. I for one consider myself privileged that young and raw as I was that a place would be cleared for me at the dining table always when I happened to be present. I benefitted much from the food and the lunchtime conversation.Read More

A sad day for Sri Lankan police!

Monday, 11 Nov 2013

The recent transfer of 23 experienced cops from the Crime Investigation Division of the Police Headquarters, within hours after they raided an exclusive gambling den in Colombo smacks a witch-hunt, the farcical statement issued by the police spokesman, notwithstanding.

The officers were transferred within barely 24 hours after they arrested 45 well-to-do punters, following the raid of an elite gambling den located in a high-profile restaurant in Colombo.
Instead of plaudits, the cops were bombarded with orders barked out by politicians and their coterie to release the suspects. The duty-bound cops did not cave in and for their act of defiance, they have now paid a price.

Inside police sources say that a politically influential individual, who holds a position of power in political and defence establishment, has ordered the transfer of the 23 honest cops. This individual is known to be a close friend of the woman who operated the gambling den. It must be recalled that the police raided the same gambling den on 1 July, this year and arrested 83 punters. Soon after the raid, inside sources said, the police were ordered ‘not to go miles within the gambling den’.

The latest raid was carried out after a warrant was obtained from the Maligakanda Magistrate. It is incumbent upon the Court to inquire about the legal basis of the
ad hoc transfers of the officers. Should they have been victimized for carrying out a Court Order that would amount to a contempt of Court?

The police spokesman, SSP Ajith Rohana, has issued a statement, denying any connection between the raid and the transfer of the police officers. He claims the officers, who had spent more than a year in the Criminal Investigation Division, had been transferred after two cops in the division were earlier arrested for allegedly abducting a businessman.

SSP Rohana is in an unenviable position. His job is to please his bosses, failing that he would not last long there. But, the Sri Lankan public is discerning enough to distinguish facts from a fiction. Rohana should know well that among officers who have been transferred out of the unit are many who have not completed one year tenure in the unit. But, they were part of the raiding team, which appears to be the most convincing reason for their transfer. Therefore, the police spokesman’s purported explanation does not hold water.

Duty-bound cops have regularly been victimized at the whims and fancies of the politicians. The National Police Commission had not helped curtail this practice. When the honest officers are victimized for carrying out their duties, needless to say their fellow cops would be feeling reluctant to implement the law against the rich and the powerful, and opt to keep away from potential repercussions.

The police service is a noble profession. However, in the eyes of many a Sri Lankan, it is discredited, for rogue cops, bribe taking and blatant human rights abuses. When the system victimizes honest cops and favours the crooks, the public perception of the police is bound to further degenerate. The IGP and the Police Department should protect its duty-bound officers from political victimization. However, to what extent, they are committed to protect their own ilk and the reputation of their profession is open to question.

It is equally important that the National Human Rights Commission investigates the recent transfer of 23 officers of the Crime Investigation Division. And the media should highlight this travesty of justice and expose the political henchmen who have sent the honest cops to the gallows, because they implemented the law against a rich and powerful few, who though they are a law unto themselves.

Human Rights Watch Criticizes Israel for Continual Killing of Gaza Civilians

Tim King Salem-News.com-Nov-08-2013

Military targeting hardware in use today is deadly accurate. When Israel strikes hospitals and schools full of children, it is all very intentional.

Children in Gaza killed during Israeli attack

(SACRAMENTO) - Just less than a year ago, I wrote the article, Dead Babies and the Latest News from 'Israeli Rights Watch', feeling incensed and sickened by the position Human Rights Watch (HRW) was taking over Israel's military aggression toward civilian victims in Gaza.

Baby killed in Gaza by Israeli forces.

Israel regularly uses drones and other aircraft to attack civilians and the world ignores this behavior, essentially leaving Israel to govern its own warfare tactics, which it fails to do.

Today HRW is speaking out over the use of Israeli drones as military hardware. Criticizing Israel for its constant killing of civilians, so many of whom are children, the HRW video below also addresses one of the most significant points, that is the targeting capabilities of these weapons.

UN school after Israeli attack

For years, Israeli forces routinely claim to have "mistakenly" attacked civilian targets - Operation "Cast Lead" is one of the worst examples, when more than 50 medical facilities and dozens of schools were directly targeted, including a UN school which was dripping afterward in the blood of little kids, literally.

But this is a country that possesses the latest technology available on the planet. We can simply conclude that the argument about mistaken targets is untrue.

Military targeting hardware in use today is deadly accurate, and when Israel strikes hospitals and schools full of children with illegal weapons like white phosphorous and depleted uranium, it is all very intentional without question.

The reason Israel has been able to withstand the storm of international law, is because the country that has assumed the great protector role, the United States, uses "Super Veto Power" in the United Nations to consistently crush war crime charges against the so-called Jewish state.

Israel would have lost support long ago and its government rejected if it were any other nation.

Israeli Victims in Gaza -

Video

Just less than a year ago, HRW wrote:

"Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza need to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians as hostilities between the two sides intensify.

Palestinian rocket attacks into civilian areas violate the laws of war prohibition against targeting civilians, and Israel should ensure it is only targeting military objects, Human Rights Watch said.

A rocket launched by an armed group killed three Israeli civilians on the morning of November 15, 2012. Strikes by Israeli forces on November 10 and 14 killed at least nine civilians in Gaza."

In my previous article, I compared the HRW position to nothing more than Israeli propaganda; "the words are in stark contrast compared to what is taking place."

It seems like something positive has changed at HRW and I for one am thankful for that. We are in a new age where it is incumbent upon all of us to embrace the human race as one, and to stop dividing people according to their religion and birthplace. It is one big world and it all belongs to we, the people.

Just less than a year ago, HRW wrote:

"Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza need to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians as hostilities between the two sides intensify.

A rocket launched by an armed group killed three Israeli civilians on the morning of November 15, 2012. Strikes by Israeli forces on November 10 and 14 killed at least nine civilians in Gaza."

In my previous article, I compared the HRW position to nothing more than Israeli propaganda; "the words are in stark contrast compared to what is taking place."

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Sri Lanka: Tamil family’s distress over footage of daughter

Saturday 09 Nov 2013

31 srilanka w MED Sri Lanka: Tamil familys distress over footage of daughter

The family of a young Sri Lankan Tamil separatist woman killed by government forces four years ago had no idea that she had been captured alive until Channel 4 News broadcast the pictures last week. Our Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Jonathan Miller, met them.

Sri Lanka Tamil family’s distress over footage of daughter by nelvely

WikiLeaks: Navi Pillay Faced Serious Opposition Within The UN To Her Call For International Investigation On Sri Lanka – Pillay’s Deputy To US

November 10, 2013

“Kyung-wha Kang, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights strongly supported the Congressional request for reporting on Sri Lanka, seeing it as a sign of high-level attention to these issues. She noted that High Commissioner Pillay has publicly called for an international investigation of what seem like credible accusations of violations of humanitarian and human rights law. Within the UN system, Kang said that Pillay has faced serious opposition to this approach. Other UN agencies see the need to get things done on the ground (e.g. humanitarian and recovery assistance) as the priority and fear that Pillay’s approach will make the GSL reticent to cooperate. Kang lamented that the GSL has ‘an absolute deaf ear,’ on questions of human rights, particularly when it comes to any international dimension.” the US Mission to UN informed Washington.

The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The “Confidential” cable discuses what had happened on the ground during and since the conflict. The cable was signed by the US Ambassador to Geneva Clint Williamson on July 15, 2009.

The ambassador wrote; “Kang said that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) would be unlikely to be able to help in sharing any information with Amb. Williamson. There is one OHCHR rep in Colombo who is in a very difficult situation and is restricted in her maneuvering room. Kang said that OHCHR is overwhelmed with information sent in from various interest groups, but their veracity was very hard to judge. She thought that over time, ground-level testimony would emerge and would be the key to determining what had really happened. Williamson asked that OHCRC share whatever information it could and Kang promised to look into what might be possible.”

'Tamils still being raped and tortured' in Sri Lanka

By Frances Harrison

8 November 2013 Last updated at 20:20 ET

"When the lady left and that man closed the door, I knew what was going to happen," says Vasantha. "They raped me."As Commonwealth leaders prepare to meet at a summit in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, allegations of rape and torture by the Sri Lankan security forces have emerged, some of them occurring four years after the civil war ended.

One evening earlier this year, Vasantha says, she was going back to her home in northern Sri Lanka when a white van drew up and two men asked for her identity card.

'Tamils Still Being Raped and Tortured' in Sri Lanka by nelvely

Smashing The Tamil Homeland

By Rajan Hoole -November 9, 2013

Rajan Hoole

Sri Lanka: A Haunted Nation - The Social Underpinnings Of Communal Violence- Part 7

During the 6th Amendment debate in Par- liament on 4th August 1983, Lalith Athulathmudali told the House: “The time has come for the misguided youth in the North to lay down arms. We will not stop at enacting laws. We will use every weapon at our command to eradi- cate terrorism.”

Athulathmudali, an intelligent man, must have known that it was a most inappropriate message to the Tamils just after his Government had given them a good thrashing. Indeed, refugee youth from Colombo were just then, in Jaffna, joining the several militant groups. The rhetoric was part of Athulathmudali’s bid for power. By this time India had given notice of its interest in the problem and prevented the Gov- ernment from going much further then in marginalising the Tamils. India then sent its envoy G. Parthasarathy in a bid to hammer out a political solution. While talking to India which was mediating between the TULF and the Gov- ernment on the one hand, Jayewardene had also tied his hands with the extremism he had un- loosed in July. Jayewardene was in New Delhi that November for the Commonwealth leaders’ summit. Some TULF leaders went to him with the Annexure C proposals for a settlement worked out with Parthasarathy. Mr. R. Sampanthan recalls being surprised by Jayewardene’s attitude. He did not read it, but merely asked, “Where do I sign?” The impression given was that he was not serious.

A Haunted Nation: India And The Legacy Of The Citizenship Act-Part 6

Obfuscation Of Tamil Grievances-Part 5

A Haunted Nation: The CCNH Document-Part 4

A Haunted Nation: Other Minority Groups And The July ViolencePart 3

Exorcising Reds And Eelamists- Part 2

Sri Lanka: A Haunted Nation – The Social Underpinnings Of Communal Violence

Squandering opportunities

Editorial-November 8, 2013, 7:56 pm

Close on the heels of the issuance of visas to Channel Four to cover Nov. 15-17 CHOGM in Colombo has come disturbing news that a high-level delegation of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has been denied entry. The group has accused the Sri Lankan government of having revoked visas in spite of a public assurance by Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London that IBAHRI members would be able to visit Colombo.

The delegates were planning to attend a conference co-hosted by the IBAHRI and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka under the theme, ‘Making Commonwealth Values a Reality; the Rule of Law and the Independence of the Legal Profession’. The government’s fear that such events are aimed at painting a black picture of it ahead of CHOGM at a time the international media attention is on Sri Lanka is not unfounded. Various attempts are being made to take the gloss off the summit. But, that is no reason why international organisations, especially professional outfits, should be debarred from entering the country to attend conferences.

On the one hand, through such action the government lends credence to the much-propagated claim that Sri Lanka is, to borrow a phrase from UNHRC Chief Navi Pillay, heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction and has something to hide. On the other hand, its critics know more than one way to shoe a horse; they do not have to come all the way here to achieve their objectives.

IBAHRI Co-Chair, Sternford Moyo, has attributed the denial of visas to his association’s delegates to the Sri Lankan government’s ‘determination to block freedom of speech and independent discussion in the country, leaving the Commonwealth Heads cocooned and isolated’. This is a widely held view of Sri Lanka which the government ought to be mindful of. But, by no stretch of the imagination could it be assumed that the Commonwealth Heads could be ‘cocooned and isolated’ simply by preventing international organisations from visiting Colombo to attend conferences ahead of CHOGM.

We are living in a world where heads of state do not need the assistance of outfits like IBAHRI to be informed of what goes on in other countries. President Barack Obama is a case in point. He is well informed of the affairs of even his female counterparts in Europe thanks to the US National Security Agency operatives who are snooping on foreign governments and their leaders. Moyo has also told the media, "If the Commonwealth is to have any relevance in today’s world, it must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that Sri Lanka engages meaningfully with human rights." One is intrigued. He seems to think that the Commonwealth has had some relevance all these years! It is only a white man’s golf club where caddies have been allowed to obtain membership while doing the same old job. Or, in other words, it is an association of victims of plunder with the plunderer at the helm.

Sri Lanka’s human rights record, no doubt, has to improve. But, it is only wishful thinking that if Sri Lanka is coerced into engaging ‘meaningfully with human rights’—whatever that means—hey presto, the Commonwealth will regain its relevance. Why is it that the Commonwealth and other international organisations which try to be relevant in current global context by promoting human rights have not taken up the issue of blatant human rights violations by outsiders in Pakistan, a Commonwealth member state? Amnesty International itself has called US drone attacks on Pakistani soil war crimes. But, neither the Commonwealth leaders championing human rights nor those who are pushing them to get tough with Sri Lanka have ever so much as issued a media statement condemning attacks on Pakistani civilians. They are only turning on soft targets to justify their existence.

The government ought to square up to post-war challenges. Most issues such as the denial of visas to IBAHRI delegates stem from its binary view of the world which makes it see foreign governments and associations as either friends or foes. There are many who do not fall into these two categories and they need to be won over through constructive engagement and diplomacy. The government has a choice between painting itself into a corner on the diplomatic front and making the best use of the opportunities CHOGM has provided for repackaging and marketing itself.