Monday, December 2, 2013

Even Mighty Central Banks Can Go Broke If Imprudent Policies Are Adopted

By W.A Wijewardena -December 2, 2013

Dr. W.A. Wijewardena

Central banks are not that mighty

A central bank in theory cannot be bankrupt because it can always print money and pay out the external creditors, namely, the holders of its currency and banks and other institutions that maintain accounts with it. An institution is unable to make pay-outs to its external creditors when it does not have enough assets to do so – a situation known as having a negative net-worth.

By printing money at its own discretion, a central bank, unlike any other institution in the economy, can convert a negative net-worth – the sign of the bankruptcy of a central bank – into a positive one. Yet, in practice some central banks have become bankrupt and many have got into trouble due to imprudent policies they have followed. Thus, even a mighty central bank can go broke if it has adopted imprudent policies.

There are two reasons which may contribute to the bankruptcy of a central bank.

Loss of credibility is the worst enemy of a central bank

One is that it may have issued too much of money causing a rapid increase in the inflation rate. When inflation rises to a very high level within a short span of time, it is called ‘hyperinflation’ and when it rises without showing any sign of abatement, it is called ‘high inflation’. During either episode, people refuse to accept the currency issued by a central bank because they stand to lose if they do so.

Every currency note issued by a central bank carries a promise to its holder that he could continue to acquire a desirable basket of goods and services by using it. For instance, a dollar note acquired by an exporter is a promise by the US authorities that the holder could acquire a dollar’s worth of goods and services from that country or from any other country which is willing to accept that dollar in exchange.

But if prices go up as moderately as it is happening in many countries including Sri Lanka or rapidly in the case of high inflation that is taking place in Venezuela today, the basket starts shrinking making the holder of the currency note poorer day by day. Knowing this, a smart person will very quickly transfer all his currencies into other currencies or other assets that do not have that particular problem.

During the hyperinflation in Bolivia in mid 1980s, the Bolivians refused to accept the Bolivian Peso and instead chose to accept the US dollar as the currency for transactions, keeping wealth and recovering debt from borrowers. Similarly, during the recent hyperinflation in Zimbabwe, it was the South African Rand that was accepted by Zimbabweans and not the dollars issued by their Reserve Bank. Thus, when people refuse to accept the currencies supplied by a central bank, it also loses the ability to issue new currency and convert a negative net-worth into a positive one. The result is the bankruptcy of the central bank raising an issue concerning its credibility. Read More

Maldives to quit Commonwealth?

Gayoom

by Zacki Jabbar in Male- December 1, 2013,

Former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and a Minister in Abdulla Yamin's newly elected coalition government have called for the Maldives to quit the Commonwealth, which they said has lost its focus and was interfering in others internal affairs.

Accusing the Commonwealth of dictating terms to small states, the Ex-Head of State who ruled for thirty years, pointed out that there was a time when the 53-member grouping assisted the Maldives development programmes and also helped secure its borders, but of late it had even tried to influence the outcome of last November's Presidential Election by accusing the Supreme Court of ‘unnecessarily intervening in the electoral process’.

Informed sources revealed that Gayoom had recently suggested to the outgoing

President Mohammed Waheed to pull the Maldives out of the Commonwealth, but a decision had been put on the back burner due to the turmoil the country was in at that time.

Gayoom, who lost to Mohammed Nasheed in the archipelago's first multi party Presidential Poll in 2008, has, even out of power, wielded considerable influence. With his half brother Abdullah Yamin elected President last month the debate on whether it should remain in the Commonwealth has been revived. If the organisation continued to abdicate its founding principles and took on the role of a global policemen, it was pointless being a part of it, the former Head of State who has been accused of governing with an iron fist, observed.

Islamic Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem, said that the 53-member grouping had lost its relevance, since its assistance to Maldives was negligible, even miniscule in proportion to the extent to which it was trying to "guide" their destiny.

To accuse the judiciary of having interfered with the democratic process, when it had based on facts upheld a Jumhoory Party petition in declaring the first round of the Presidential Election null and void, on the grounds of vote rigging was preposterous, he noted, adding that it was the 16-point guideline issued by the Court, that ensured the smooth conduct of the November 16, run-off and the verdict being accepted by all the three candidates Yamin, Nasheed and Qasim Ibrahim.

The Supreme Court was called upon to interpret the Constitution, when ever any dispute or difference of opinion arose. To describe its performance of duty as

‘interference’ was a blatant violation of another country's sovereignty, the

Minister said.

Sinhalese are Famous For Lying Through Their Teeth

Op-Ed by Visvanathan Sivam Salem-News.com-Dec-01-2013

Sri Lankan High Commissioner in England, Chris Nonis and President Majinda Rajapakse

Elections behind Cameron’s HR allegations - Chris Nonis

(MELBOURNE) - Here is the Sri Lankan High
Commissioner in England, Chris Nonis, who lies through his teeth to justify the heinous Human Rights violations in Sri Lanka. He takes cover under his countries right to sovereignty. He failed to realize that Democracy bestows on the Tamils the right to live in peace and dignity; that means free from rape and murder. He has also forgotten the Tamils had their own sovereignty until 1833, when the colonial government merged them with the rest of country.

He is also against any international independent investigation into war crimes, as it violates his country's sovereignty and he expects Britain to respect his government's sovereignty just as much as they respects British sovereignty. As you will see in the tube, he is very uncomfortable and uneasy with the interview, but he covers his lies up under the facade of a smile.

Elections behind Cameron’s HR allegations - Chris Nonis

Here is the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in England, Chris Nonis, who lies through his teeth to justify the heinous Human Rights violations in Sri Lanka. He takes cover under his countries right to sovereignty. He failed to realize that Democracy bestows on the Tamils the right to live in peace and dignity; that means free from rape and murder. He has also forgotten the Tamils had their own sovereignty until 1833, when the colonial government merged them with the rest of country.

The first tube here is on the survey that is now in process to count the living and the dead. Please see how he wriggles his way out in the BBC interview. Please view the two tubes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6nw2wzSuaI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwawQ4NeyV8

A spokeswoman for the National Tamil Congress in Australia, Dr Sam Pari, is questioning the motives of the Sri Lankan government in conducting the census soon after the CHOGM. "The Sri Lankan government and Sri Lankan officials are known to be corrupt. They are known to swindle a lot of money and they are known to manipulate numbers and statistics to serve their own purpose,” she said. Dr Pari believes the results of the census will not be trustworthy unless it is monitored by an independent body.

“Sri Lanka has a history of saying a lot of things and even doing a few things just for a bit of a show. But whether it is genuine, whether the intention behind it is actually to bring perpetrators to justice, is yet to be seen,” she said. “At the end of the day we have to look at Sri Lanka’s track record, we need to look at who is really in charge of this and whether there is an independent body monitoring it.” The UN now accepts over 70,000 Tamils were killed during the last month of the war. The Bishop of Manner produced evidence during his submission in LLRC that there are more than 146,000 people still not accounted for.

The leader of the Tamil National Alliance, R.Sampanthan had been bending backwards and forward the last four years to appease the Sinhalese government to get the Tamils their rights, but it was to no avail. After being heckled by the Sinhalese MPs during his speech and out of frustration, he burst out this week in the Parliament. This is what he said.

“Very clearly, I have been disturbed in this House once again, today. I am sorry to say, Hon. Deputy Speaker, that such disturbances were permitted. Consequently, my speech has been interrupted; my speech has been disturbed; my trend of thinking has been disturbed and I think Members in this House are entitled to speak with greater freedom. But, we do not have freedom in this House, we do not have freedom in this country and I want this message to go to the whole world. I want all members in the international community to know that this is how we, minority Members, are treated even in this House.”

This is the reality in Sri Lanka today. The Tamils who had been ruling their Tamil kingdom for the last 2,500 years have now been reduced to this level of second class citizens. There is no chance even to earn a decent minimum living. The army had been grabbing their lands. Most of the hotel and business are run by the army. What else can the Tamils do other than flee from the country in rickety boats.

The SL High Commissioner, Chris Nonis, says that the population in Colombo is divided equally between the Sinhalese, Tamils and the Muslims, which is another blatant lie. There is a sizable Tamil population in Colombo, most of then ran away from the war raging in the north, but the Sinhalese are still holding on to at least 60% of the population of Colombo. What he is trying to say is that it is only fair that the Sinhalese occupy a third of the Tamil Homeland. As it is the Sinhalese are more than 30% of the Eastern Province. All they have to do is to colonize 30% of the Northern Province and their plan will be completed.

‘Peni Hula’ has invested Rs. 200 m in Salaka casino!

Monday, 02 December 2013

Director general of the Media Centre for National Security Lakshman Hulugalle, known as ‘Peni Hula’ among his friends, has invested Rs. 200 million on a promissory note in the controversial Salaka Regino casino club owned by Vajira Janaki Nettikumara. He has given the money at the request of his paramour Sudharma Nettikumara. ‘Peni Hula’ has deposited, at several banks in Malaysia, the millions of dollars he had earned by illicit means. In addition, he has bought properties in that country. ‘Peni Hula’ and Sudhama have made plans to flee to Malaysia if there is a change in government.

‘Peni Hula’ was first introduced to Sudharma by Krishani Gunatilake, the wife of the owner of Dannie Brothers, which owns Good Wood Plaza hotel in Katunayake. Sudharma comes to know Shashi Weerawansa also through Krishani. All of them are loan sharks. What Sudharma does is borrows money from various people, but refrains from paying back on the strength of her connection with ‘Peni Hula.’ Both Sudharma and Vajira are committed to the same objective - that is to destroy the Nettikumara family, for which they are being aided by ‘Peni Hula.’

Even the president does not comprehend as to why the defence secretary is so afraid of Lakshman Hulugalle. The president says publicly, ‘Don’t know if this fellow has done a charm on our man’, as whatever wrong ‘Peni Hula’ commits, the defence secretary seems unaware of them. But, well informed sources say that the defence secretary has become a puppet of ‘Peni Hula’ as the former’s personal wealth is invested by the latter.

‘Peni Hula’s other crony is retired captain Nissanka Senadhipathi of Avante Garde security firm. Previously, 10 guards of Avante Garde were deployed at the home of Sudharma to prevent her legal husband Gamini Nettikumara from visiting the premises. Gamini Nettikumara pleaded with the president and got those guards reduced to three. These days, he is being harassed by the guards with the demand that Sudharma be given the divorce, because ‘Peni Hula’ has promised her that he would marry her before the end of this year. However, unconfirmed sources say the two are already married, but have become frightened after their lawyers had advised them about the dangers of bigamy. Now, they are influencing their spouses in order to get divorced.

Kshenuka to succeed external affairs secretary Amunugama!

Monday, 02 December 2013

According to our revelation that the External Affairs Ministry will be restructured following the CHOGM, the ministry’s secretary position is most likely to be changed this week. Incumbent Karunatilake Amunugama is due to be succeeded by deputy secretary Kshenuka Seneviratne.

However, it is Chitranganie Wagiswara, presently high commissioner in Canada, who should be given the top position if seniority is considered. She is due to complete her tenure and return to Sri Lanka at the end of this year, and will retire if not appointed the ministry secretary.

Mr. Amunugama will be posted to the Presidential Secretariat to be in charge of external affairs, or else sent to Canada or India as the high commissioner, ministry sources say.

Sri Lankan ambassador in the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya will be appointed the high commissioner in Canada and Prasad Kariyawasam, presently high commissioner in India, will be posted to Canada, say the sources.

Almost all these appointments are being made on the influence of the ministry’s supervising MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardena. The children of his friends who had been employed at the CHOGM as attendants are expected to be sent to Sri Lankan missions abroad before the year end.

Video: SSP Ranagala Interrupts Anti-Hudson Protest

December 2, 2013

A peaceful protest, staged against the rumbustious conduct SLBC Chairman Hudson Samarasinghe in front of the SLBC today (2nd), was interrupted by a group of hooligans.

They booed at the protesters and scolded them in obscene language. Dr. Nimalka Fernando, who recently received death threats from the SLBC Chairman during a live radio talk show, was also among the protesters.

The Police, led by SSP Premalal Ranagala, facilitated the hooligans by chasing away the protesters and destroying their placards. Instead of taking hooligans into custody, he dispersed protesters by threatening them in vulgar language.Protesters were mostly women and the large majority of them were human rights activists. Ranagala was the same police officer who protected the group who staged pro-government protests in front of the Hulftsdorp Court Complex when former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was impeached.

* Video Credit: Vikalpa – CPA

PROVINCIAL COUNCILOR AMONG 5 HELD FOR ASSAULT

December 2, 2013

North Western provincial councilor Kamal Indika and four others have been arrested over an alleged incident of assault. They have been remanded till December 05, police said.

A complaint had been lodged with Gokarella Police accusing five persons including the Provincial Councilor of assaulting Udagedara Saman Bandara and two others.

The suspects were arrested today and produced before the Kurunegala Magistrate, who ordered that they be remanded till December 05.

Gota makes quiet visit to India

Monday, 02 December 2013

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has made a quiet visit to neighbouring India to meet with several members of the Indian government.

The New Indian Express has reported that Rajapaksa’s extremely low-profile visit has been largely kept under wraps by the two governments.
Rajapaksa has called on Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid before he left for Colombo at the end of his trip.

He has reportedly met with his defence ministry counterparts on Thursday.

The India media has reported that this was a significant visit, as it was the first high-level bilateral meeting following the Commonwealth Summit, which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not attend due to pressure from Tamil Nadu over the lack of accountability for war crimes towards the ends of the civil war in the island nation.

As a very influential member of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is one of the key voices calling for dilution of the powers of the provincial councils, as stipulated under the Indo-Lanka accord and enacted through the 13th amendment.

According to the New Indian Express, India had managed to stave off such efforts before the commonwealth summit, but there are fears that the parliamentary select committee to look into ways to amend the constitution to dilute 13A may be revived, now that the international scrutiny has been removed.

UN implicates Bashar al-Assad in Syria war crimes

Navi Pillay is the first UN figure to directly implicate Mr Assad in alleged war crimes

A house damaged by shelling is seen in Aleppo

The UN's human rights chief has said an inquiry has produced evidence that war crimes were authorised in Syria at the "highest level", including by President Bashar al-Assad.-2 December 2013

UN Implicates Bashar Al-Assad in Syria War Crimes by nelvely

China seeks to cultivate Sri Lanka ties but without international reproach

Monday, 02 December, 2013,

Beijing's criticism of Sri Lankan abuses may seem hypocritical as it continues to pour billions into the impoverished country's infrastructure

SCMP 南華早報

It is not often that the Chinese government criticises another nation for how it handles civil liberties, especially a country with which it has close financial and diplomatic ties. So it was curious when Qin Gang, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, advised Sri Lanka, a nation accused of committing war crimes, to "make efforts to protect and promote human rights".

China Seeks to Cultivate Sri Lanka Ties but Without International Reproach by nelvely

A Climate Of Change Ripe For Advantageous Instability

So we shall argue and we’ll compromise and realize that nothing’s ever changed

By Arjuna Seneviratne -December 2, 2013

Arjuna Seneviratne

Everything changes. Including the climate. We seem to have forgotten that. We believe that we can somehow wish this change away or use some sort of mantra to prevent that universal principle of “anithya” from affecting the climate. We cannot.

Change isn’t exactly a bad thing as we all know. However, instability certainly is. When things are in flux for any length of time, things don’t just change. They fall apart. The operative word here is “things” – in the plural. Four: the fiscal thing, the food thing, the energy thing and the climate thing. All are very much in flux, very intrinsically interconnected, very politicized and very much in the news. One thing that is not in the news is the one thing that seems to be relatively stable and unchanging inside of this roily, shifty gruel.

Attitude.

We think we can respond to these life threatening crises by holding desperately on to phraseology such as “our ways of life”, “businesses as usual”, “this was the way then and this will be the way now” even though they were the cause of this mess. We think we can pack, couch or sugar coat the same tired, useless models in new phrases such as “alternatives sources”, “sustainable development”, “nuancing and contextualizing”, “common but differentiated responsibilities”. We go from RIO to COP, from G8 to G77, from OECD to UNDG, from FAO to IFAD, uprooting ourselves from one watering hole and heading off to the next, always moving, always fluxing, always changing in a quixotic effort to find “stability”.

The reason why we make like nomads is because stability is not a goal. Rather, it is a ruse.

December 2, 2013

This is a column about Muslims and child marriage. I hesitated before writing it. When I pointed out the prevalence of anti-Semitism and homophobia within British Muslim communities earlier this year, I was accused by some of my co-religionists of “selling out”, of “fuelling Islamophobia”.

By Mehdi Hasan - Read more

Please Sign the 'Stop Destruction of Palestinian Village' Petition

Philip L. Aaronson for Salem-News.com-Dec-01-2013-

The residents of Susya have submitted five different versions of a master plan to Israeli authorities in an attempt to remain on their ancestral lands.

See larger version of this photo and others here: dw.de/west-bank-village-struggles-against-demolition/a-16074023

(JERUSALEM) - I lived in Israel for eight years and traveled throughout the West Bank including the village of Susya, targeted for demolition. I have witnessed first-hand the oppressive and inhumane conditions imposed on Palestinians by Israeli military occupation. The illegal confiscation of Palestinian lands, destruction of homes, violence against men, women and children, and other human rights violations are not only against International law, but all laws of human decency.

The residents of Susya have submitted five different versions of a master plan to Israeli authorities in an attempt to remain on their ancestral lands. Every plan has been rejected for obvious political reasons. On behalf of my Israeli friends who struggle for freedom and justice, and my Palestinian friends who are about to lose their homes, I urge you to sign this petition.

That's why I signed a petition to John Kerry, Secretary of State, Daniel B. Shapiro, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Michael Ratney, Consul General, Jerusalem, Beth Jones, Ass't Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Moshe Yaalon, Israeli Defense Minister, Sen. Barbara Boxer (CA-2), Sen. Tim Kaine (VA-2), and President Barack Obama, which says:

"December 24th, 2013 the Palestinian village of Susya is scheduled for demolition. The farmers whose families have lived on this land for over 150 years will lose their homes, their land and their way of life."

Will you sign the petition too? Click here to add your name:

Stop destruction of Palestinian Village

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-destruction-of-palestin?source=s.fwd&r_by=4877360

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Military presence in North an obstacle for democracy - Wigneswaran

By Our Jaffna Correspondent-Monday, 02 Dec 2013

The heavy military presence in the North remains an obstacle for democracy in the North. As the Security forces have acquired the lands of the people in the North, the people in the region are forced to leave their habitats and leave the island seeking greener pastures abroad according to Northern Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran .

The Chief Minister was addressing at an event in Mullaitivu where a new rice mill has been built with the Australian assistance on Friday. Several senior officials from the Australian High Commission in Colombo participated at the event.

Wigneswaran addressing further at the event said: “The Australian Government should understand that there are four important reasons for the people in the North and East to risk their lives and attempt to go down under. First reason is the heavy military presence in the North and East. Second – unlawful settlements of outsiders from the South in the North. Third-Our people do not have the security, Fourth- No job opportunities.”

“If our people get the right opportunity and a very secure atmosphere to live they will not think of leaving the island. To lead a peaceful life and to make Northern Province a democratically vibrant region, the military should be withdrawn completely from the Northern province,” he said.

He also said that one of his cut outs in Jaffna was vandalised. “Most of the people in the North knew who had vandalised my portrait. But it is ridiculous the police do not know who had done it,” the CM said. (Ceylon Today Online)

Sri Lanka’s Suppression of Moderation and Democracy for Tamils

Speech by Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran, Sri Lanka Parliament – Nov 29, 2013

Hon M A Sumanthiran says government not tolerant of moderates, prefers extremism

Sri Lanka’s Suppression of Moderation and Democracy for Tamils

What Happened To The Muslims In The Name Of The Tamil People Was An Injustice

By M. A. Sumanthiran -December 1, 2013

MA Sumanthiran MP

Thank you Hon. Deputy Chairman for the opportunity to speak on the second reading of the budget proposal made by the Hon. Minister of Finance.

Before I start speaking on the proposals themselves let me with your permission say that today’s proceedings started on a very auspicious note. My good friend the Hon. A.H.M Azwer made a clarification with regard to his conduct in this House yesterday. We welcome the clarification he made and we hope that that spirit will prevail in the future too, that he does not intend to disturb and stop anyone from speaking. That’s a good explanation. We welcome that.

There is one thing though, that I’m a little concerned about. This House will remember…

*Speech by M.A. Sumanthiran, Member of Parliament, Tamil National Alliance (29^th November 2013)

PM will visit Jaffna, meet Tamil leader, P Chidambaram says

Dec 1, 2013,

CHENNAI: Union finance minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Jaffna and hold talks with recently-elected Northern Province chief minister C V Wigneswaran.

"Wigneswaran's invite (to the PM) is still alive," the finance minister said, while speaking at a conference on "Sri Lankan Tamils' right to livelihood and India's stand," held in Chennai on Saturday.

In an effort to explain the Congress party's stand on Sri Lanka affairs in the wake of the opposition to India's participation in the recently-held Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting in Colombo, Chidambaram said the PM skipping the meet and sending a representative was a "wise" decision.

It is significant that while there was stiff opposition amongst parties in Tamil Nadu against the PM's participation in the summit, they hailed the visit of British premier David Cameron to Jaffna.

"We should not adopt a confrontational attitude with our neighbour, but should continue to engage Sri Lanka," Chidambaram said, adding, "We hope Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha will change his attitude (about extending equal rights to Tamils on par with the Sinhalese)."

Chidambaram's move is seen as an effort to clarify the UPA government's decision to depute external affairs minister Salman Khurshid to attend the summit despite opposition in Tamil Nadu against India's participation and mollify the pro-Eelam lobby.

"I am the organiser, host and speaker (at the conference) because the Congress party (TN unit) has not organised an appropriate public forum to speak on these issues," he said. Chidambaram's move is aimed at assuring the Tamil Nadu electorate about the commitment of the Congress to Sri Lankan Tamil welfare in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

The Union minister said the Indian government will continue to urge the international forum and Lanka to investigate the human rights violations in that country. "If they (the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government) had heeded our advice in the final stages of the war, Prabhakaran would have been alive today," he said. "The Centre will not rest until a genuine , detailed investigation is initiated against genocide and the perpetrators are brought to justice," he added.

Hitting out at the Sri Lankan government for "diluting" the 13th amendment, akey constitutional provision that promises autonomy to Lankan Tamils, he said the Congress would continue to strive for the implementation of the amendment, a result of the Rajiv-Jayawardene accord.

On Cameron's visit to Jaffna, which received cheers from certain quarters, Chidambaram termed it "a diplomatic victory" for India and implied it was a result of the country voicing the concerns of Lankan Tamils in international forums.

"The Indian Prime Minister's decision not to participate in CHOGM is sensible and wise, and a shock treatment to Lanka," he said, but went on to justify the participation of a delegation led by Salman Khurshid. "India is a neighbour and cannot act against Lanka, a sovereign nation . Both countries will have to maintain friendliness," he said.

Recalling the rehabilitation measures taken up by India for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils, which he said was "more than" what India did for Bangladesh , including housing, schools and other basic civic amenities with crores of rupees of funding, Chidambaram wondered whether the BJP could do similar work. The party, a political face of RSS, did not endorse a resolution of the Congress-led government, to be passed in Parliament against Sri Lanka.

"It is the Congress government which spends money for Tamils, raises voice for their welfare and exerts pressure on the Sri Lankan government," he said.

Necromantic Politics

By Tisaranee Gunasekara -December 1, 2013

“This accursed, shortsighted statecraft!” - Heinrich von Kleist (Prinz Friedrich)

The state-owned ITN devotes one segment of its main Sinhala news telecast to remembering the Tiger. Evening after evening, the viewers are reminded of some long ago LTTE-deed, in lurid detail.

There are political forces, in the North and the South, who want ordinary Lankans live forever in the shadow of the Tiger. Sinhala and Tamil extremists need to keep the memories of the war vividly alive, because that is their only escape from the looming wilderness of irrelevance and obsolescence. This desire to constantly remind ordinary Lankans about the foul deeds of the enemy (and their own ‘heroism’) is something the Rajapaksas (and Sinhala-Buddhist supremacists) have in common with the pro-Tiger elements in the North and abroad.

Sinhala and Tamil extremists do not want a sober and informed discussion about the reasons and consequences of the war. They just want to keep hatred and fear alive, to lengthen the walls and deepen the dykes which divide ordinary Lankans.

The Rajapaksas need Tamil politicians to sound like cardboard versions of the LTTE. Every time some leading Tamil, here or abroad, waves the Tiger flag, the Siblings are delighted, because they can use that essentially silly spectacle to frighten an increasingly restive Sinhala public into obedience. The Rajapaksas do not want the Tamil polity to occupy the moderate centre and to reach out to their Southern counterparts and to the world. They do not want the Tamils abandon the counterproductive roar of the Tiger and find a rational and pragmatic voice which becomes acceptable to the Southern opposition and the international community.

That was why the Rajapaksas were obviously thrilled with the pro-Tiger outpourings of TNA parliamentarian S Sridaran and equally obviously dismayed by TNA Leader R Sampanthan’s measured and reflective discourse. TNA parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran publicly wondered why the “…government MPs allowed Sridharan to continue with a speech, which the government later termed as supporting extremism” while continuously obstructing “Sampanthan when he made a more moderate speech yesterday”[i]. Mr. Sridaran was allowed to speak because his speech was helpful to the Rajapaksas; Mr. Sampanthan was rudely interrupted, time and again, because what he said damaged the enemy image the Rajapaksas need to keep alive.

Jayalalithaa slams India's offer to train Sri Lankan Naval officials

Jayalalithaa has demanded that the Prime Minister review the "insensitive policy of defence co-operation.

December 01, 2013

Chennai: Expressing dismay at India's offer to train Sri Lankan Naval officials, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has demanded that the Prime Minister review this "insensitive policy of defence co-operation" as it was in "utter disregard" of sentiments of people of the state.

"I wish to convey our strong protest against this insensitive policy of defence co-operation with Sri Lanka, which totally ignores the impact it may have upon the feelings of the people of Tamil Nadu," she said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday.

She was referring to the offer for a four-year Bachelor of Technology course made by visiting Indian Navy chief Admiral D K Joshi on November 29 when he called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo.

Stating that this had come as a 'great shock' to people of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa said: "In utter disregard of the sentiments and emotions of the people of Tamil Nadu, the Government of India is persisting with the policy of defence co-operation with the Sri Lankan Armed Forces."

She said there was "a deep and widespread sentiment" prevailing in Tamil Nadu about the need to hold the Sri Lankan regime to account for the alleged acts of "genocide and war crimes" in the closing stages of the civil war in the island nation and the alleged continued "discrimination" against the Tamil minority there.

The Centre's commitment was "tantamount" to actively working with the Sri Lankan regime and providing them with necessary wherewithal to act even more strongly not only against the Tamil minority in the island, but also against the poor Indian fishermen, she added.

Recalling her earlier letters opposing imparting training to Sri Lankan defence personnel in India, she urged Dr Singh to urgently review the policy and instruct the Ministry of Defence not to pursue the proposed training programme.

Jayalalithaa also opposed the hike in diesel prices by 50 paise and demanded its rollback, saying it would affect poor people.

"The hike would lead to increase in prices of commodities.

Fare of private buses, including services to offices, schools would also increase. As a result, poor people would be severely affected."