Tuesday, December 24, 2013

PPPR Recommends an Election Judge Should be Appointed to Investigate into Election Malpractices

DOWNLOAD FINAL REPORT-December 23, 2013

Transparency International Sri Lanka Channel

PPPR2013-PPPR Recommends an Election Judge Should Be Appointed to Investigate Into Election Malpractices by nelvely

Transparency International Sri Lanka’s Election Monitoring arm, ‘The Programme for Protection of Public Resources (PPPR)’ has recommended that an Election Judge should be appointed to investigate into election violations and malpractices with special focus on the misuse of public resources. As for offences against public property, presently only the Attorney General can go to courts on the misuse of public resources. This should be revised to entertain private plaints.

PPPR has said Elections Commissioner should be vested with the power to recover the cost of abuse from errant candidates and other relevant parties immediately.

PPPR launched its final report on Provincial Council Election held in September 2013 at the Renuka Hotel Colombo on 23rd December 2013 amidst a gathering including professionals, media personnel and activists.

Elaborating further, it has been recommended to amend the election law to make it mandatory to hand over assets and liability declarations of candidates on or before the handing over of nominations. Failure to comply should result in the rejection of the nomination. Any misrepresentation of the declaration should result in the disqualification of the candidate and/or seat if elected.
PPPR recommends that the all Provincial elections should be held on the same date in order reduce excessive expenses incurred due to sporadic election schedules.
Other recommendations PPPR has suggested are as follows.

(a). Public resources should not be used for election campaigning purposes with or without payments as it disrupts public life and create an unfair advantage towards those with power and influence.

(b). Introduce mechanisms to make all Heads of government institutions accountable for all movable and immovable public assets under the supervision of the Election Commissioner.

(c). All public assets should be easily identifiable by the public. The official government logo should be visible on the body of all government vehicles with the exception of assigned vehicles. Rented vehicles should also carry the government logo for identification purposes.

(d). All public assets allocated to Chief Ministers, Provincial Ministers and members of Provincial Councils to be handed over immediately after the dissolution of the Provincial Council.

(e). Elected persons should not engage in political campaigns using public resources.

(f). Public ceremonies highlighting the success of development programs should not be encouraged and attended by the Head of State during the campaigning period.

(g). Public sector appointments, transfers and promotions should not be done without the permission of the Elections Commissioner.

(h). Electioneering by public officials on duty should be made a punishable offence under the criminal law.

(i). Strengthen the election law by incorporating regulations that makes it mandatory for the Party Secretary or the leader(s) of the independent group(s) to declare campaign expenditure and sources of funding to ensure the transparency of election financing. Introduce campaign expenditure ceiling based on the electorate and number of voters.

(j). Election law to be amended to accommodate election monitors in the ballot counting process.

(k). Promote the usage of transparent ballot boxes.

Moratuwa Niqab: Unveiling The Facts

By Khalid Muhaimin -December 24, 2013

Khalid Muhaimin

Niqab Is Not A Controversy But A Ban On It Is A Controversy

While Sri Lanka is struggling to come out from the remnants of its brutal ethnic-conflict, its ethnic harmony after the war is slowly fading away and likely to slip into jeopardy. Once the war is over, the government should have taken serious measures to reconcile the differences between ethnicities within her country. But in contrary to this, government had turned mute over this matter while remaining silence over the emergence of Buddhist Extremist Group which is posing a critical threat to the basic fabric of the ethnic communities and their harmony. This status quo causing racism all over the country specially on the minorities- particularly Muslim minority which has become more vulnerable to racism in Sri Lanka in recent years. It is very sad to see Islam and Muslim are being targeted all over the country and their religious and cultural values are questioned and ridiculed by these elements.

In line of these events, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka duly created by and under the Act No 16 of 1978, has banned the Muslim female students from wearing Niqab, a type of Muslim veil that conceals the whole face, other than the eyes. This ban has come in the dawn of CHOGM 2013 and a time where the government is under immense pressure by the international community for its alleged war crimes and Human right abuses. These extremist elements are creating Islamophobia. This racist syndrome is widespread all over the country nowadays.

University of Moratuwa is the country’s leading technological higher education institute excelling both locally and globally-as they claim. But it is something strange to see these intellectuals are also victimized by the above mentioned syndrome. On December 02, 2013 the Vice-Chancellor of University of Moratuwa, Prof. Ananda Jayawardana was interviewed by the BBC. While I was listening to his interview I realized that how an intellectual mind was duped to believe an unnecessary issue.

Nevertheless, this ban on veil is seriously violating the provisions of the constitution. Chapter III of the 1978 constitution titled as Fundamental Rights provide various fundamental rights for the citizens. Equality before law, Freedom of expression and Freedom of Religion and conscience are some of the provisions among others are in clear violation by this ban. This senseless decision is massively divisive and will only lead to an environment in which the rights of many will be disproportionately suppressed. These fundamental rights are at stake here and this sets out an extremely dangerous precedent not only for the Muslim community but for members of all faith backgrounds. Read More

Govt. move to abolish scholarship exam: Teachers to take legal action

By Dasun Edirisinghe-December 23, 2013, 9:31 pm

The JVP-led Ceylon Teachers’ Service Union (CTSU) yesterday said it would file legal action against the Education Ministry’s decision to put an end to the Grade V scholarship examination from 2016.

CTSU General Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe told The Island that they would also launch a protest against stopping the Scholarship examination, which was the only chance rural students had to enter popular schools.

At a press conference last week, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena announced that the Grade V scholarship examination would not be a competitive exam from 2016 and it would remain only to test the knowledge level of students like a term test. After 2016, students would have to sit for only one paper, which will be of one hour and 45 minutes duration.

Citing some examples, Jayasinghe said that the students from the Eheliyagoda Central College and Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya, in Gampaha, who obtained the highest marks in the Bio Science and Commerce streams at the GCE (A/L) examination 2013 had entered those schools by passing the Grade V scholarship examination.

"It is very unfair for the government deprive other children the opportunity to enter popular schools," he said.

Responding to the government’s plan to develop 1,000 secondary schools in the country, at the rate of at least one per Divisional Secretariat and nine new schools for each province, named after President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as an option to popular schools, he asked what assurance could be given that those schools would be completed before 2016.

The government started the project in 2011, but there were still only for the foundation stone for secondary schools, Jayasinghe said, adding that some ‘Mahindodaya’ Technical laboratories could not be opened due to lack of equipment.

HEALTH WORKERS PROTEST...

December 23, 2013

The Joint Council of Nursing, PSM, Paramedics in Government Health Services held a protest in front of the Ministry of Health in Colombo today (Dec. 23) against the failure by authorities to provide promotions, allowances and resolve salary discrepancies in the past 5 years. (Pic by Sanjeewa Lasantha)

Liyanage Removed From BBC Sinhala Sandeshaya

December 24, 2013

Head of the BBC Sinhala Service, Priyath Liyanage has been removed form the Sinahala Service Colombo Telegraph can reveal today.

Priyath Liyanage

Dejan Radojevic from the South Asia Hub will be leading the Sinhala Service, a BBC spokesperson, Paul Rasmussen told Colombo Telegraph today.

The BBC probe into all aspects of its Sinhala Service’s activities is still proceeding, Colombo Telegraph learns. The BBC Sinhala Service journalists are being asked by the BBC to participate in the ongoing investigation accompanied by lawyers or trade union representatives if they wish and some of them have already given evidence to the inquiry panel.

BBC is yet to reply why he has been removed.

JHU ready to quit the government

Tuesday, 24 December 2013

The JHU has said the party was ready to quit the government and sit in the opposition for the benefit of the people.

JHU Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gamanpila has said the party would not hesitate to sit in the opposition in parliament if such a move would benefit the people.

Addressing a meeting Hokandara, he has observed that spiritual development needs to be combined with the overall development in the country.

Gamanpila has noted that the JHU has become the opposition within the government.

“If the people will be benefited, we will not think twice about leaving the government and sitting in the opposition,” he has said.

WASP ATTACK LEAVES 16 HOSPITALISED...

December 24, 2013

A wasp attack in the Elbodawatta area of Bogawantalawa has left 16 female tea pluckers hospitalised at the Bogawantalawa hospital. Seven of the victims have been discharged from hospital following treatment. Ada Derana learnt that the injuries caused by the wasp attack were not serious.

Despite MR’s orders UPFA loses Homagama, Damana and Bulathsinhala

Tuesday, 24 December 2013

Despite orders from SLFP Leader, President Mahinda Rajapaksa to sack governing SLFP members in local governments who vote against the 2014 budgets presented in their respective local government bodies, the budgets of the governing UPFA have been defeated in three more local bodies.

The 2014 budget of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha was defeated for the second time yesterday with 12 members voting against and 10 voting in favour while one member abstained from voting.

The first budget vote was cancelled a few weeks back due to disturbances in the council.

Meanwhile, the 2014 budgets of the Bulathsinhala and Damana Pradeshiay Sabhas have also been defeated.

Only the Chairman of the council had voted in favour of the budget in the Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha while eight governing party members have voted against the 2014 budget proposal.

The 2014 budget of the Damana Pradeshiya Sabha was defeated with a majority of four votes.

MOOCs and the developing world

December 24, 2013

The potential for a revolution in university education

Analysts have pointed out that in the way that some countries bypassed land telephone lines in their bid to enhance telecommunication facilities and went on straight to mobile connectivity, the opportunity offered by Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) at the tertiary level would give an opportunity for countries to bypass brick and mortar universities and go straight onto online courses at the tertiary level.
It was in 2011 that Stanford University in California, USA, launched its first MOOC. Since then these internet-enabled tertiary education programs have really taken off, engaging millions of users.

MOOCs and the Developing World by nelvely

Dubai jails Lanka-born man

December 24, 2013

131223-shezanne-cassim-hmed-915a.photoblog600

A court in the United Arab Emirates sentenced eight people including a Sri Lanka-born American to up to a year in prison Monday after being convicted in connection to a satirical video about youth culture in Dubai.

The video they produced and uploaded to the internet was a spoof documentary of would-be “gangsta” youth in the Gulf Arab city-state. The state-owned daily The National said they were accused of “defaming the image of United Arab Emirates society abroad.” Supporters of the defendants reported that they were charged under a 2012 cybercrimes law that tightened penalties for challenging authorities.

Shezanne Cassim, a 29-year-old US citizen from Woodbury, Minnesota, became the public face of the defendants after his family launched an effort to publicize his months-long incarceration following his arrest in April.

Cassim, who was born in Sri Lanka and moved to Dubai for work after graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2006, was sentenced Monday to a year in prison followed by deportation and received a 10,000 dirham (US$2,725) fine, according to family spokeswoman Jennifer Gore.

Cassim’s brother, Shervon, called the ruling “painful and unfair.” “Shez is coming up on nine months incarceration for making a parody. This isn’t justice,” he said in a statement.

American consular officials have been following the case closely and attended Monday’s hearing at the State Security Court in the federal capital, Abu Dhabi.

Two Indian defendants received similar sentences, while two Emirati brothers were sentenced to eight months behind bars and received 5,000 dirham fines, according to The National. A third brother was pardoned.

Three other defendants, a Canadian, Briton and an American, were convicted and sentenced in absentia to the penalties given to their other foreigners. They have never been detained by authorities and so are unlikely to serve their sentences.

The video, called “Ultimate Combat System: The Deadly Satwa Gs,” is set in the Satwa district of Dubai. It is a documentary style clip that pokes fun at Dubai youth who styled themselves “gangstas” but are not particularly thuggish, and shows fictional “combat” training that includes throwing a sandal and using a mobile phone to call for help.

It opens with text saying the video is fictional and is not meant to offend.

Sri Lanka lets Australian hotelier Geoffrey Dobbs back in after flag furore

The Australian owner of one of the world's most exclusive hotels has been given temporary permission to return to his adopted Sri Lankan homeland after being barred in a spat over the national flag.

PHOTO: Australian Geoffrey Dobbs given temporary permission to return to his adopted Sri Lankan homeland after being denied entry in a spat over the national flag. (stock.xchng: timobalk)-Updated 6 hours 57 minutes ago

Geoffrey Dobbs, who is also the organiser of an international literary festival in the tourist city of Galle, was initially turned back at Colombo airport for the second time in five days.

But an immigration official said that he had been granted a one-month temporary visa, only minutes before he was due to be flown back to Thailand on a Sri Lankan Airlines flight.

"He is being given a one-month visa to enter the country," U.G. Udowita, the head of immigration at Colombo airport, told AFP.

"This will give him time to sort out his paper work," Udowita added, without elaborating.

Speaking to AFP from the airport, Mr Dobbs confirmed that he had been told he could enter the country.

"I have just been told that I can go (into the country)," Mr Dobbs said in brief comments as he prepared to leave the transit area.

Provincial governor Kumari Balasuriya said earlier Tuesday that Dobbs had been blacklisted after flying four flags - which each feature the image of a mythical lion - upside down and near her home in Galle just before last month's Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka.

"He is a very undesirable person and we have decided to blacklist him and prevent him from entering the country," she told AFP.

Ms Balasuriya said that Mr Dobbs had deliberately flown the flags upside down after local workmen had accidentally inverted an Australian flag.

The British-born Mr Dobbs runs four luxury hotels in the Galle region where some rooms cost more than $2,000 a night.

His portfolio includes the private Taprobane Island, whose guests have included pop stars Sting and Kylie Minogue.

It has been named one of the world's 50 most romantic locations by Conde Nast Traveller magazine.

The Sri Lankan opposition has said the move to bar Mr Dobbs is part of a strategy by the authorities to seize control of his money-spinning luxury hotels, a charge denied by Ms Balasuriya.

A former publisher, Mr Dobbs has organised the Galle Literary Festival since 2007.

The event has drawn writers such as the novelist Joanna Trollope, playwright Tom Stoppard and the children's author Michael Morpurgo.

AFP

The rule of tyranny and the Reign of God: A Christmas Reflection

by Bishop Duleep de Chickera
- on 12/24/2013
- Image courtesy Riversoft
  
  Partnerships in tyranny
  
  Jesus was born under the rule of tyranny. Absolute power was held by the Roman Emperor who ruled conquered regions through local agents. Herod was one such agent. So long as he ensured that Roman supremacy and interests were not challenged in Judea and the Roman coffers were filled; no questions would be asked.
  
  The combined oppression of the dominant and their pathetic agents imposed immense hardship on the people. They were harassed and relentlessly taxed to sustain the extravagant lifestyles of their rulers. They had no one to turn to. They were like sheep without shepherds. Herod was obsessed with pleasing Rome; and Rome obsessed with more dominance and wealth.
  
  Wise visitors
  
  The birth of Jesus disturbs Herod. He fears a rival, consults advisers and seeks information from the eastern dignitaries who had arrived in search of a new born king. A violent intention is concealed behind an honourable request; he too wished to worship the new born king. Religious pretence and hidden deceit; these things go together.
  
  The visitors from the east are wise; they read the stars. Having encountered Jesus, they are inspired by a dream to avoid Herod. They depart another way. The wise do not cooperate with deceit. Wisdom and integrity; these things go together.
  
  This measured resistance defeats the guile of a ruthless ruler. The helpless baby is saved. He grows into the Prince of Peace.
  
  Wise behaviour of the moment facilitates the emerging reign of God. These things go together.
  
  Prudent Parents
  
  The story then takes a tragic turn. Herod reacts with anger. He orders the inhumane killing of all male babies under the age of two in and around Bethlehem. “Kill many to get one and so warn the rest” is the method of the insecure tyrant. It is a sign of desperation within the rule of tyranny. Desperate, violent rulers and helpless suffering masses; these things go together.
  
  A dream inspires Jesus’ parents. They use their common sense to secure safety in neighbouring Egypt. Others may have done likewise. This is how Jesus became a refugee. Common sense and the protection of life; these things go together. They inevitably influence the emerging reign of God. This protected baby eventually replaces the death of tyranny with the way to truth and abundant life for all. The protected have potential to liberate; these things go together.
  
  The nature of tyranny
  
  The nature of tyranny is changeless. It is built on the tripod of greed, deception and violence; these things go together. They intoxicate and condition tyrants to disregard the common good. This makes them enemies of the people. They consequently lose the moral right to rule and the people then gain the moral right to defend their interests. Morality lost and gained; these things go together.
  
  Limits to tyranny
  
  But tyrants are not all powerful. They cannot tamper with the spirituality of wisdom and common sense. This combined spirituality cannot be easily bought over, intimidated or killed. It is as unique as universal human rights. It throbs within the human to clamour for human rights. Human spirituality and human rights; these things go together.
  
  Transforming tyranny
  
  Human spirituality is activated when the rule of tyranny spreads unabated. Human spirituality stirs the human conscience when the rule of tyranny steals human dignity. These trends go together.
  
  Human spirituality formed and fed by wisdom and common sense becomes a form of resistance under the rule of tyranny. When sustained, this dynamic eventually makes the difference. It exposes greed, deception and violence and out-lives the tyrant to usher a better world. These things go together.
  
  Christmas Hope
  
  The Christmas hope is that the rule of tyranny is short lived. It will be replaced with the reign of God; “Peace on earth and goodwill to all.” The Christmas challenge is to make this happen, soon. Christmas hope and Christmas challenge; these things go together. We cannot have the one without the other.
  
  This is the Good News of Jesus Christ.
  
  With Peace and Blessings to all,
  
  Bishop Duleep de Chickera

Miracles Happened At Buddhist Conference: A “Totally Deaf” Academic Regains His Hearing!

By A Special Correspondent -December 24, 2013

The totally deaf man has been participating in previous Buddhist Research Conferences when held in Colombo. This was the ninth. He has even presented papers earlier and participated actively in them. This time too he was an invitee but had attended with some hesitation because of his medical condition – a perceptive deafness but which the organizer and one close to her has pronounced on their own as “Total deafness”. This is where our story derives its spin.

According to most participants except two, the convener and the other, the Deaf man had surprisingly, splurged into action. That is why this Correspondent thinks there was a miracle, and the interlocutor was at least temporarily cured of his ailment, to hear Buddha’s word that was being spelt out by presenters.

The centre of attraction was Buddha’s exposition of Kalama Sutta about the significance of which one presenter dwelled at length before he came to present a model on Ayurveda which he and his team of academics had worked on. The more the interlocutor in question watched – no one had thought he was inhibited in listening as a former Professor, an expert on Buddhism, who was seated next to him had seen when the interlocutor was seen taking down notes and even checked if he had got it right-the interlocutor had been seen .being inspired by the presentations rather than been inhabited by any deficiency.

As the participants except the two we have mentioned had seen, and some even discussed, the interlocutor had not shown any sign of being inhibited from any ailment. He had gone from strength to strength to join in discussion almost every topic that was discussed. From all accounts, he had been the most active participant all round.

This is where some even discussed if a miracle had happened as the interlocutor was listening to words uttered by Buddha (Buddha-bhasita). That is also the topic of discussion in the town –the healing power when one listens devotedly, as the interlocutor seemingly did.

The story of the miracle, an unusual one which one often hears in Christian and Sufi circles, attracted our attention because it is rear to hear of the healing power of Buddha’s word, though one might think of the soothing power of the Buddhist Suttas when they are recited properly; or in Mahayanic context of repletion. That includes also “Pirith”.

We inquired from a number of persons who attended the Conference, a former academic included, the interlocutor for his version, over the criticism by the two critics.

So here is a part of our investigation.

The interlocutor’s version: Read More

The Greatest Gift For All

Paul Craig Roberts

Institute for Political Economy

December 23, 2012 - Articles on the Greatest Gift in christianity,

The Greatest Gift for All by nelvely

Ice Storm 2013: Hundreds Of Thousands Still Without Power

By Diana Mehta,-12/23/2013

TORONTO -- A nasty ice storm that left hundreds of thousands without power in Ontario and Quebec tracked through the Maritimes on Monday as authorities worked frantically to clear tree-strewn roadways, restore downed hydro lines and get stranded travellers to their destinations.

Hydro companies in the Greater Toronto Area, which appeared to be the hardest hit by the weather system, warned some residents to brace for the possibility of being without power until Boxing Day or later.

Some neighbourhoods resembled crime scenes with yellow police tape used to cordon off areas where electric wires or large trees had come crashing down over the weekend. Sidewalks around some high rise buildings were also closed off due to the risk of falling ice.

Meanwhile, travellers trying to get home for the holidays continued to face delays and cancellations on airlines and trains.

Story continues below slideshow

Ice Storm 2013 Hundreds of Thousands Still Without Power by nelvely

Tell the NY Times: The Evidence Isn't Hard to Find... If You Just Look

Salem-News.com-Dec-24-2013

All they need to do is look and they’ll easily find it. Contact the NY Times Today!

Visit ReThink911.org

(LONDON) - Yesterday New York Times Chief Washington Correspondent David Sanger was the guest on CSPAN’s Washington Journal, where he had this to say about Building 7’s collapse:

“We have not found any evidence so far – that doesn’t mean there’s none there – but we’ve not found any evidence so far to suggest that the building collapses were caused by anything other than the two airplanes that flew into them.”

Sanger was responding to a question from a caller who wanted to know why, despite the massive billboard standing right outside the New York Times Building, the paper of record had failed to “fairly and objectively cover this crucial issue.”

Now with a senior representative of the New York Times on the record saying, “We’ve not found any evidence so far,” it is time to let Sanger and the editors know that the evidence is there. All they need to do is look and they’ll easily find it. Contact the NY Times Today!

Contact the NY Times Today

Last week over 1,000 people contacted the BBC in response to our action alert regarding the BBC’s one-sided article on the ReThink911 campaign. Let’s surpass that level of support today. Please take 2 minutes right now to contact David Sanger and the NY Times editors. Just copy-paste the letter below, or write your own. Please be sure to Bcc us at AE911Truth so that we can keep a count of how many emails are sent.

To: dasang@nytimes.com, washington@nytimes.com, metro@nytimes.com,national@nytimes.com, executive-editor@nytimes.com, nytnews@nytimes.com,editorial@nytimes.com

Bcc: NYTimesOutreach@AE911Truth.org

Dear Mr. Sanger and Editors of the New York Times,

On Sunday, December 23, 2013, you, Mr. Sanger, told a caller on CSPAN’s Washington Journal that the New York Times had not found any evidence so far to suggest that the collapse of WTC Building 7 was caused by anything other than an indirect result of the airplanes flying into the Twin Towers. I am writing to tell you that the evidence is indeed there, and I urge you to look into it. 2,100 architects and engineers have signed a petition at AE911Truth.org calling for a new investigation based on this evidence. The following points are just a few from among the growing body of evidence that overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that Building 7 came down by controlled demolition.

Building 7 accelerated downward at absolute free-fall for the first few seconds of its 7-second symmetrical collapse.
However, a building cannot undergo free-fall if it is meeting any resistance from any of the columns below it, as any resistance would slow the building’s descent.
Therefore, the lower section of the building could not have been “crushed” by the upper freely falling section.
The destruction of at least 8 stories of the lower section of the building had to have been accomplished by other means, i.e. explosives or incendiaries, to allow the upper section of the building to fall through it in free-fall. Learn more about the free-fall of Building 7.
There is clear evidence of melted steel at Building 7, first reported on by the NY Times, and incendiaries in numerous dust samples from Ground Zero.

As you well understand, the implications of the controlled demolition of Building 7 are extraordinary, since it is integral to the 9/11 events, and therefore the question of what happened to Building 7 is of the greatest importance. I thank you in advance for taking the time to seriously examine this crucial issue.

Sincerely,

[Name, address]

Thank you as always for your tremendous support.!

About ReThink911

ReThink911 is sponsored by Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and Remember Building 7, a campaign by 9/11 family members to raise awareness of Building 7.

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