Peace for the World

Peace for the World
First democratic leader of Justice the Godfather of the Sri Lankan Tamil Struggle: Honourable Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam

Monday, February 24, 2014

Ancestry repeated : As Martin Rajapakse robbed so his descendents plunder properties of destitute people

(Lanka-e-News- 24.Feb.2014, 3.30PM) The Medamulana land crocodiles who are plundering the lands and properties of the destitute people living in them in the north and in Colombo which includes Slave Island and Wanathamulla, and even pillaging the human rights as well as SLFP party’s rights , while totally disregarding them, is now in its latest monstrous move seeking to plunder the lands and properties of 160 helpless poverty stricken families in Nuwara eliya, according to reports reaching Lanka e news.

The Medamulana land crocodiles have given sudden notice to the 160 families who had been living there for the last 80 years at Rendapola , Hakgala up to Ambewala , Nuwara eliya upper division , to leave their abodes before the 22 nd of March 2014, without citing any reasons.

The most intriguing and cruel part of this action is , the deeds of ownership had been given to these dwellers by a former president Chandrika Bandaranaike , who belongs to the same SLFP party.

The victims are scared to talk against the present savage brutal action because they are also infected by the acute fear psychosis contagion gripping their grama sevaka.

Even the lawyer who was engaged by the villagers by paying him out of monies collected from their contributions to legally pursue the matter , had owing to the threats received by him got alarmed and declined to go ahead on this case to secure redress for the injustice committed on the villagers.

These dwellers who had been in these properties for the last 80 years even as far back as during the period of the white men had been given an extremely unreasonable short period of time prior to evicting them. These residents who have lived for nearly a century in their abodes are being ordered to get out most un -ceremonially without any compensation being paid like driving out stray dogs that have crept into houses , clearly indicating that this is another in the series of atrocities and cruelties perpetrated on the destitute helpless people by its despotic savage rulers.

After the death of Don Constantine De Silva Wanigachinthamani Mohottala in 1874 , it was none other than Martin Rajapakse who was looking after the cow herd of the Buddhiyagama Walawwa belonging to Mohottala . And it was none other than Martin Rajapkse who plundered the Buddhiyagama Walawwa after the owner’s death.

The Medamulana land crocodiles who are descendents of that plundering and robbing ancestor naturally cannot divest themselves of those plundering and robbing traits which are coursing through their veins, and are forming part of their contaminated blood. By the pillaging and plundering of properties of the poor villagers who have been living for 80 years peacefully, these Rajapakses have confirmed that low born base innate traits and inhumane propensities cannot be divested though they have seized power .

The MPs of the opposition in Parliament are in this context duty bound to appoint a Parliamentary committee and spearhead a campaign to rescue all the communities including Sinhalese , Tamils and Muslims spread across the country who are being kept trampled by the cruel dictatorial boots of the Rajapakses . It is the duty of the opposition MPs as representatives of all people and not one community to take urgent and strong measures to avert this tragedy that has befallen the people . Plundering properties of the poor and destitute people under threats , intimidation and an atmosphere of fear psychosis by the Rajapakse regime must be stopped for this is tantamount to wanton denial of the fundamental and human rights of the citizens. At least a record of these monumental plunders and inhuman activities must be retained so that a report can be made to the international community ,or some day the opposition comes to power the Rajapakse highway robberies and plunders committed daringly in daylight can be probed into and redress provided to the people who were victims of these ruthless crimes.

Presidential Commission receives complaint on IPKF conduct in SL


ipkfThe Indian media has reported that the Presidential Commission on Disappearances has received a complaint on the conduct of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka during the period of the war.

A senior panel official, who did not want to be named has been quoted in the Indian media as saying that the solitary complaint against the IPKF was received early this week, when the panel held a hearing in the north.
“However the complaint relates to a period outside the panel's purview,” the official has said.
The official has added that the panel may consider widening its scope to cover incidents related to the IPKF if more complaints were to be received.
The three-member Presidential Commission was mandated to inquire into and report on alleged abductions or disappearances during the period from June 10, 1990 to May 19, 2009 when Sri Lankan troops launched the final military campaign that led to the defeat of the LTTE and ended the civil war.

Full Text Of The Five Judge SC Bench Ruling On CJ Shirani Bandaranayake Impeachment Case


February 23, 2014
Colombo TelegraphA Bench comprised Justices Saleem Marsoof, Chandra Ekanayake, Sathya Hettige, Eva Wanasundara, and Rohini Marasinghe ruled that the writ issued by the Court of Appeal nullifying Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake removal was null and void. We publish below the full text of the five judge Supreme Court bench appointed by de facto Chief Justice Mohan Pieris, a direct beneficiary of the Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake sacking last year.
Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake
Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake
Shirani Bandaranayake Impeachment Case – SC Appeal No. 67/2013 . Read the judgement here
Related posts;

Amnesty International IndiaAmnesty International India-Sri Lankan war documentary



The Indian censor board’s decision to refuse certification to documentary film 'No Fire Zone' for a theatre release is an attack on freedom of speech and freedom of information in India. It also hurts the movement within India to push for an independent and international investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka’s 2009 war. This ban will prevent a large number of Indians from learning about the serious allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity that have been leveled against Sri Lankan troops and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The ban on public screening of No Fire Zone comes as a surprise as the film has been previously screened in India and stories of excesses uncovered by it led to major outrage here that forced a response from Indian leaders. India risks undoing some of the great work it has done to support a just reconciliation process in Sri Lanka including what the Indian envoy to the UN Human Rights Council said was the need for a "credible investigation which is to the liking of the international community".

Is this a move to gag public movements in solidarity with victims of the 2009 war? Amnesty International India calls on the film board and Government of India to swiftly remove the ban on No Fire Zone and assure everyone of its commitment to basic political freedoms in the country.

#SriLanka #FreedomOfSpeech #India #NoFireZone

Amnesty urges India to revoke ban on Sri Lankan war documentary

ANITA JOSHUA-NEW DELHI, February 24, 2014

Photo: The Indian censor board’s decision to refuse certification to documentary film 'No Fire Zone' for a theatre release is an attack on freedom of speech and freedom of information in India. It also hurts the movement within India to push for an independent and international investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka’s 2009 war. This ban will prevent a large number of Indians from learning about the serious allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity that have been leveled against Sri Lankan troops and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The ban on public screening of No Fire Zone comes as a surprise as the film has been previously screened in India and stories of excesses uncovered by it led to major outrage here that forced a response from Indian leaders. India risks undoing some of the great work it has done to support a just reconciliation process in Sri Lanka including what the Indian envoy to the UN Human Rights Council said was the need for a "credible investigation which is to the liking of the international community". 

Is this a move to gag public movements in solidarity with victims of the 2009 war? Amnesty International India calls on the film board and Government of India to swiftly remove the ban on No Fire Zone and assure everyone of its commitment to basic political freedoms in the country.

#SriLanka #FreedomOfSpeech #India #NoFireZoneReturn to frontpage‘’The documentary may also strain friendly relations with Sri Lanka,’’ noted the Central Board of Film Certification.

Amnesty International India on Monday urged the Central Board of Film Certification and the Government to ``swiftly remove the ban’’ on the film `No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka’ – a documentary on the last phase of the war between the Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE in early 2009.
Questioning the CBFC decision, Amnesty in a statement said the refusal of certification for the theatre release of the film was an attack on the freedom of speech and information in India. ``It also hurts the movement within India to push for an independent and international investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka’s 2009 war.’’
Of the view that the special screening of the film in India last year had helped mobilise opinion enough to force a ``response from Indian leaders’’, Amnesty added that this ban would prevent a larger Indian audience from learning about the serious allegations of war crimes levelled against Sri Lankan troops and the LTTE.
Also, according to Amnesty, India ``risks undoing some of the great work it has done to support a just reconciliation process in Sri Lanka,’’ including the advocacy of a credible investigation that is to the satisfaction of the international community.
The Board had refused to certify the film for theatre release on the grounds that most of the visuals were of a ``disturbing nature’’ and not fit for public exhibition. ``The documentary may also strain friendly relations with Sri Lanka,’’ the Board noted.

WikiLeaks: EU Acknowledged The Possibility Of A Backlash By LTTE Front Groups In Europe

February 24, 2014
Colombo Telegraph“Commission Director for Asia James Moran told Owen that he would travel to India the week of June 15 to discuss plans for the next EU-India summit, tentatively scheduled for November, 2009. Owen briefed Moran on Washington’s preliminary thinking about a U.S.-India strategic dialogue. On Sri Lanka, Moran noted the size and strength of the Tamil diaspora in Europe and acknowledged the possibility of a backlash by LTTE front groups in Europe to the LTTE’s military defeat in Sri Lanka. Moran said that Colombo was not cooperating with the EU’s ongoing human rights investigation, which would inform its decision about renewing Sri Lanka’s GSP status.” the US Embassy Brussels informed Washington.
James Moran
James Moran
A classified diplomatic cable which details a meeting on United States – European Union on South and Central Asia, just after the Sri Lanka’s war. The Colombo Telegraph found the related ‘Confidential’ US diplomatic cable dated June 22, 2009 from the WikiLeaks database.
In a separate meeting with Owen [ South and Central Asia Bureau Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Owen], Sri Lankan Ambassador to the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha expressed concern that the EU was ‘overplaying its hand’ regarding Sri Lanka and said he had encouraged key EU officials to recalibrate their relationship with Colombo. Aryasinha asked for USG help in encouraging the EU to designate LTTE front organizations, which he saw as a threat to Europe as well as Sri Lanka.

EU made big mistake in banning LTTE: Henricsson, former head of SLMM

TamilNet[TamilNet, Monday, 24 February 2014, 07:58 GMT]
It was a big mistake for the EU to ban the LTTE. There was pressure from the USA and the Sri Lankan government, said Major General Ulf Henricsson, who was heading the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in 2006. “I would say that was a big mistake, because it stopped the possibility to get a peaceful solution and negotiation,” Henricsson told TamilNet in an interview in Sweden on Saturday. Acting on solutions now, compared to Bosnia, he cited lack of interest in the West. He was stressing on the importance of India in acting on the question, but said that India is not interested in getting engaged. China and India and other countries are not interested in having the international community on that territory, he added. 


Women’s group decries US project meant to debase armed forces-…calls for effective campaign to counter Ambassador Sison’s campaign


By Shamindra Ferdinando- 

A women’s organisation affiliated to the breakway JVP faction, the National Freedom Front (NFF) has accused some Jaffna based women groups of propagating lies to support US led project to move a resolution against Sri Lanka at the forthcoming Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session.

Priyanga Kotelawela, the national organiser of Lakmawa Diyaniyo alleged that several representatives, including two women lecturers had told US Ambassador-at-large for Women’s issues Catherine Russell during a video conference at the American Centre on February 10 that women in Jaffna were being systematically abused by the military.

The former JVP local government member said that those invited by the US embassy for the video conference had gone to the extent of alleging that the military wanted Tamil women to adopt birth control measures to prevent unwanted pregnancies. They had also accused the government of failing to provide even the basic medical facilities for women, particularly the pregnant.

The US embassy accused Sri Lanka of refusing to issue a visa to Ambassador Russell.

The US official told the gathering that over the past five years alone the US had provided USD 40 mn to organisations here to complete programmes for the welfare of women. She mentioned some of the recent projects, including the establishment of crisis intervention services and awareness raising campaigns on domestic violence – both carried out with the partnership of local Women’s Rights Group, Women in Need (WIN).

Kotelawela expressed concern over a section of women groups collaborating with the US to bring a resolution over accountability issues in Sri Lanka. She accused the US of pursuing an extremely hostile campaign targeting Sri Lanka in the run-up to the 25th session of the UNHRC. The project was meant to paint a bleak picture of Sri Lanka in a bid to get the member states of the UNHRC to approve a resolution against the country, she said, while urging the government to counter US led campaign.

The JVPer emphasized that it was the responsibility of the government to take tangible measures to counter the despicable propaganda project undertaken by the US Ambassador in Colombo Michele J. Sison.

Kotelawela pointed out that those who had been singing for their supper were conveniently silent when the LTTE used women and children as cannon fodder. Although recipients of foreign funding propagated lies in support of projects undertaken by their sponsors, the people of Northern and Eastern Provinces realised they were rescued by the armed forces, Lakmawa Diyaniyo chief said.

She said that it was a mistake to recognize well paid agents of Western powers as representatives of Northern women. Kotelawela queried whether those now cooperating with the US had at least issued a statement condemning forcible recruitment of women and children.

Responding to a query by ‘The Island’, Kotelawela said that Catherine Russell should explain the circumstances under which the US stripped searched top Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade arrested on a charge of underpaying her Indian maid. That incident revealed the way those who had been inquiring about the wellbeing of women in other countries treated women in their judicial custody, Kotelawela said. If a foreign diplomat could have been stripped searched, including being subject to cavity searches for such an offence what would have they done for someone arrested on terrorism charge, she queried.

Lakmawa Diyaniya plans to call a special media briefing soon to expose those who had been cooperating with a section of the international community to haul Sri Lanka up before an international war crimes tribunal.

Kotelawela alleged that the US and its local agents were working overtime to make a case against the Sri Lankan military. She recalled former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton alleging that the Sri Lankan military had used rape as a weapon during the conflict, a charge strongly denied by the army.

Arrest Of Royce Fernando: ‘When Lanza House Raided President Arrived By Helicopter To Prevent The Investigation’ – UNP


February 24, 2014
The United National Party notes with concern the arrest of Royce Fernando, member of the UNP and a candidate at the forthcoming Western provincial council election.
Colombo Telegraph
Royce Fernando
Royce Fernando
As a Party constantly calling for the restoration of the rule of law, the UNP regards these allegations against our candidate with the gravity and seriousness that they are due. It is unfortunate that it has been the norm in recent times to victimise political opponents on trumped up criminal charges. Therefore, the UNP calls upon the law enforcement authorities to carry out this investigation in an impartial, transparent manner, disallowing political interference or partisanship in this election season in order to restore public faith in this country’s justice system.
In recent times, palpable disgust has built among the general public in Sri Lanka about the ruling regime’s patronage of and asylum for hardened criminals, drug barons, rapists, and murderers within its ranks.
When the residence of UPFA Western Provincial Minister Nimal Lanza was raided by the Special Task Force, President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived by helicopter to smooth the situation over and prevent the investigation from going any further.
When the residence of UPFA Western Provincial Minister Nimal Lanza was raided by the Special Task Force, President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived by helicopter to smooth the situation over and prevent the investigation from going any further.
The impunity enjoyed by criminal elements within the ruling party, from Ministers and provincial councillors to pradeshiya sabha members who stand accused of grave crimes, has eroded public confidence in the legal system and the fundamental right of equality before the law. If the Government`s law enforcement agencies that act with such speed and skill in investigations against opposition members and activists showed similar zeal towards inquiries into drug scandals that have erupted in the high offices of the Prime Minister no less, faith in the system may be restored. When the residence of UPFA Western Provincial Minister Nimal Lanzawas raided by the Special Task Force, President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived by helicopter to smooth the situation over and prevent the investigation from going any further. Such blatant patronage for partymen under the scrutiny of law enforcement is a shocking indictment on the extent to which politicisation has seeped into the system.
As a responsible opposition, we cannot contribute to the further disillusionment of the people. It is time for Sri Lanka’s people to learn to be able to hope for a more just and accountable political culture under an alternative political leadership.
The UNP pledges that in the event that Mr. Royce Fernando or any other member of the party is pronounced guilty through an impartial, transparent and just legal process, we will not stand in the way of the law taking its course. This party will neither protect nor defend criminal elements, whatever their rank, profile or affiliation. There is no room in the UNP for members who fail to uphold and respect the law of the land. As a party striving to make a political difference, it is our fervent pledge to be different. It is our hope that the public will learn to make the distinction.
*Statement Issued by the United National Party

Documentary on Victims of Rajiv Assasination - Truth Revealed


Feb-23-2014
It is with great pain that we witness the greatest tragedy of our century...
Hangings in India
Hangings in India
(CHENNAI ) - To all democratic and humanitarians around the world. The Indian Media has been misleading the nation as the ethnic nationals “Tamils” who are the part of the country as terrorists and Tamilnadu as a terrorist state. They portray to the people of north india that the Tamils are fighting to release “Rajiv killers”; whilst the truth is not so. We have been framed in that case, and we found that we have not apprised the world and the indian media enough with our agony and discrimination. We unite as a state only because we get oppressed on such issues. Please see the Video for yourselves and know the truth. If you continue to hate us after seeing the video it’s, fine. But we certainly believe you will not hate us after “understanding the truth”                                  Documentary: http://youtu.be/wJXt1akPl58 (or watch video below)

Special thanks to the May 17th Movement
Tamil Nadu will counter Centre's plea in SC against release of 4 Rajiv assassins: Jayalalithaa
AIADMK general secretary and Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday announced the names of party candidates for the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu and the lone constituency in Puducherry.
Tamil Nadu will counter Centre's plea in SC against release of 4 Rajiv assassins: Jayalalithaa


,TNN | Feb 24, 2014
CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary andTamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday said the state government would counter the Centre's plea in the Supreme Courtthat challenged the move to release four convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

"We will counter it in the court," she told reporters when she visited the party headquarters on the occasion of her 66thbirthday.

The UPA government has been vocal against Tamil Nadu government's move to release four convicts -- Nalini Sriharan, Robert Pyas, Jayakumar and Ravichandran.

Jayalalithaa said she was aware that the Centrewas moving the apex court with a petition. "They have already written to us that they are going to file a petition," she said.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India P Sadasivam last week commuted the death sentence of three convicts, Perarivalan, Santhan and Perarivalan, on the ground that their mercy petitions had been delayed for 11 years. The bench allowed the Tamil Nadu government to exercise its remission powers under Section 432 of the CrPC to release the convicts.

Jayalalithaa said her government would do all necessary steps to get the convicts released. "But all that cannot be discussed in a conference with the media. All what we want to say will be said in the court through our counsel," she said.

R.A.L.H Gunawardana’s Separation From His Pali Dictionary At A Crucial Time


Colombo Telegraph

By Darshanie Ratnawalli -February 23, 2014 
 Darshanie Ratnawalli
Darshanie Ratnawalli
“It is ever so with the things that Men begin: there is a frost in Spring, or a blight in Summer, and they fail of their promise.” “Yet seldom do they fail of their seed,” said Legolas. “And that will lie in the dust and rot to spring up again in times and places unlooked-for”. Return of the King, Lord of the Ring, Book V, Chapter 9
In 1967, as a young man of 30, R.A.L.H (Leslie) Gunawardana successfully challenged S. Paranavitana’s Ceylon-Malaysia fixation and won renown. This feat of reason and research was published as “Ceylon and Malaysia: A Study of Professor S. Paranavitana’s Research on the Relations Between the Two Regions” (full text here). Gunawardana’s achievement became almost a milestone along the memory lane of Paranavitana. Professor J. G. de Casparis memorializing Paranavitana wrote (1996); “As we all know Paranavitana devoted some his most penetrating studies to ‘Ceylon and Malaysia in ancient times’. The arguments used by Paranavitana in favour of his identifications are not as strong as they may have appeared at first. Thus, the main identifications on which the close relations between Sri Lanka and ‘Malaysia’ are based have been convincingly invalidated by RALH Gunawardana in…”
In 1995 (“Historiography In a Time of Ethnic Conflict[i]”,p1), a mature Leslie Gunawardana noticed that the ethnic conflict was blighting Sri Lanka’s intellectual activity and scholarly production, causing “a notable relaxation of intellectual rigour in research” and a “dismal intellectual climate”. Naturally he wasn’t referring to himself. However, between 1967 and 1995 interesting things had happened to Gunawardana too. In the derivation of the old Sinhala word “aya” in his “Prelude to The State, 1982[ii]”, we glimpse a Leslie Gunawardana with an intellectual rigour so relaxed that it seems to be on vacation in a dismal intellectual climate.        Read More