Palestinians renew calls to free 'leader-in-waiting' Marwan Barghouti

Talk of releasing jailed Fatah leader has emerged as part of tit-for-tat demands from the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships

A Palestinian artist finishes a portrait of Marwan Barghouti on a barrier near the Israeli-controlled Qalandia checkpoint, between Jerusalem and Ramallah. Photograph: Abbas Momani/AFP/Getty

Peter Beaumont in Ramallah-Wednesday 26 March 2014

In her suite of offices in a modern block in the West Bank city of Ramallah, the wife of Marwan Barghouti, the most prominent of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, considers the significance of the latest efforts to seek his release.

Palestinians Renew Calls to Free 'Leader-In-waiting' Marwan Barghouti by nelvely

Thought you knew the solar system? Think again

THURSDAY 27 MARCH 2014

The discovery of a new dwarf planet is just the latest revelation causing astronomers to think again about our entire solar system. Experts tell Channel 4 News how the new cosmic order is shaping up.

Thought You Knew the Solar System Think Again by nelvely

MH370: search effort swings towards finding black boxes

US navy equipment arrives to scan for flight recorders on ocean floor after satellite photos reveal 122 pieces of possible debris

View from the cockpit of an Australian air force Orion during the search mission for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean. Photograph: Paul Kane/AFP/Getty

Justin McCurry in Tokyo-Thursday 27 March 2014

Underwater scanners for finding the black box flight recorders from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 have arrived at the search headquarters as crews pin their hopes on new satellite images showing 122 pieces of possible debris in the area of the Indian Ocean where the plane is presumed to have gone down.

MH370 Search Effort Swings Towards Finding Black Boxes by nelvely

அமெரிக்கப் பிரேரணை 11 அதிகப்படியான வாக்குகளால் வெற்றி! இலங்கை அரசு சங்கடத்தில்

[ வியாழக்கிழமை, 27 மார்ச் 2014, 01:02.57 PM GMT ]

நடுநிலமை வகிப்பேன் எனக் கூறிய இந்தியா, பாகிஸ்தானுடன் இணைந்து அமெரிக்கப் பிரேரணையின் பத்தாவது பந்தியை நீக்க வாக்களித்தது. ஆனாலும் அந்தப் பிரேரணை படு தோல்வியடைந்துள்ளது.

மூன்று சுற்று வாக்கெடுப்பு நடைபெற்றது. அதன் பின்னர் பிரேரணைக்கு ஆதரவாக 23 நாடுகள், எதிராக 12 நாடுகள், நடுநிலையாக 12 நாடுகள் என வாக்குகள் கிடைத்ததுடன், இலங்கை மீதான பிரேரணை வெற்றியடைந்துள்ளது..

11 மேலதிக வாக்குகளினால் தீர்மானம் நிறைவேற்றம்

இலங்கைக் எதிராக ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் மனித உரிமைப் பேரவையில் சமர்ப்பிக்கப்பட்ட தீர்மானம் 11 மேலதிக வாக்குகளினால் நிறைவேற்றப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தீர்மானத்திற்கு ஆதரவாக 23 நாடுகள் வாக்களித்துள்ளதுடன், எதிராக 12 நாடுகள் வாக்களித்துள்ளன.

இந்தியா உள்ளிட்ட 12 நாடுகள் வாக்களிப்பில் பங்கேற்கவில்லை.

இலங்கைக்கு ஆதரவாக சமர்ப்பிக்கப்பட்ட தீர்மானம் தோல்வி

இலங்கைக்கு ஆதரவாக பாகிஸ்தானினால் சமர்ப்பிக்கப்பட்ட தீர்மானம் தோல்வியடைந்துள்ளது.

அமெரிக்கா உள்ளிட்ட நாடுகளினால் இலங்கைக்கு எதிராக சமர்ப்பிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள தீர்மானத்திற்கு எதிராக பாகிஸ்தான் தீர்மானம் ஒன்றை சமர்ப்பித்திருந்தது.

அமெரிக்கா உள்ளிட்ட நாடுகளின் தீர்மானத்திற்கு எதிராக நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கக் கூடாது என வலியுறுத்தி பாகிஸ்தான் தீர்மானம் சமர்ப்பித்திருந்தது.

எனினும், இந்த தீர்மானம் தோல்வியைத் தழுவியுள்ளது.

தீர்மானத்திற்கு எதிராக 23 நாடுகள் வாக்களித்ததுடன் ஆதரவாக 14 நாடுகள் மட்டுமே வாக்களித்திருந்தன.

பத்து நாடுகள் வாக்களிப்பில் பங்கேற்கவில்லை எனத் தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது.

தீர்மானத்திற்கு ஆதரவாக வாக்களித்த நாடுகள்-

ஆர்ஜென்ரினா, வெனின், ஒஸ்திரியா, பொஸ்சுவானா,  பிரேசில்,  சிலி, கொஸ்தரிக்கா,  கொத்து இவ்வோர்,  செக் குடியரசு,  எஸ்தோனியா, பிரான்ஸ், யேர்மனி,  அயர்லாந்து,  இத்தாலி, மெக்சிக்கோ, மொன்றிநீக்குறோ, பெரு, தென்கொரியா,  ரூமேனியா,  சியாரோலியன், மனிடோனியா,  இங்கிலாந்து, அமெரிக்கா

எதிராக வாக்களித்த நாடுகள்- அல்ஜீரியா, பாகிஸ்தான், ரஷ்யா, சவூதி அரேபியா, சீனா, கொங்கோ, கென்யா, மாலைதீவு, ஐக்கிய அரபு இராச்சியம், கியூபா, வெனிசூலா, வியட்நாம்.

நடுநிலை வகித்த நாடுகள்- இந்தியா,இந்தோனேசியா, ஜப்பான், தென் ஆபிரிக்கா 05. கஸ்கஸ்தான், குவைத், மொராக்கோ,  நமீபீயா,  பிலிப்பைன்ஸ், புர்கினா பாசோ, காபோன், எதியோப்பியா

International inquiry is 'essential' - High Commissioner

26 March 2014

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has stated that an international inquiry on Sri Lanka is "warranted" and "essential", as she presented her report on Sri Lanka at the 25th session UN Human Rights Council earlier today.

International Inquiry is 'Essential' - High Commissioner by nelvely

More calls for repeal of Sri Lanka terrorism law

Rights activists march to the Ministry of Justice in Colombo yesterday to hand over a petition calling for repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

• March 26, 2014

Rights activists are calling on Sri Lanka’s government to repeal its Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which has been used to justifiy the arrest and detention of several prominent activists this month.

Over 200 activists staged a protest opposite the Supreme Court in Hultsdorf, Colombo, yesterday and marched to the Ministry of Justice to hand over a petition demanding the repeal of the law.

Hundreds of journalists, opposition political leaders and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam suspects have been punished over the years under the 1979 law. In some cases, suspects have languished in remand for 15 years without trial.

Father M. Sakthivel, convener of the Christian Solidarity Movement, said during the protest that the PTA was a draconian piece of legislation that was being misused by the government.

“Under this law, the victims can be held for any amount of time according to the whims and fancies of the government, victims are not allowed to even meet lawyers, [and] there is no chance of meeting family members,” he said. “The war ended five years back and there is no terrorism in the country now, but the government wants to keep the PTA and military in the north to suppress the people.”

On March 13, the country’s Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) arrested outspoken activist Balendran Jeyakumari and her 13-year-old daughter Balendran Vibooshika in Kilinochchi. The pair had been campaigning for information about Tamils who disappeared during the country’s civil war. Jeyakumari was detained under the PTA.

Three days later, rights activists Ruki Fernando of the Inform Human Rights Documentation Center and Oblate Father Praveen Mahesan, director of the Center for Peace and Reconciliation, were also arrested in Kilinochchi, when they visited to look into Jeyakumari’s case.

After a wave of condemnation from foreign governments and rights groups, the pair were released. Fernando has been barred by court order from speaking to the media about his arrest.

“The law is being used to intimidate activists and suppress dissent, not for preventing terrorism,” said Fred Carver, campaign director at the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice. “There is no evidence whatsoever that Ruki Fernando, Father Praveen Mehesan, or Jeyakumari Balendran have been in anyway involved with terrorist activities, and the idea is patently absurd.”

Carver added: “The working environment for activists in Sri Lanka has never been easy but over the last few weeks it has got far far worse." 

Prominent human rights lawyer J.C. Weliamuna added his voice to the calls for repeal. “Since its inception, from 1979, this law has been misused...by different successive governments of Sri Lanka,” he said. 

“This law does not contain accountability measures. Normal crimes can be converted to crimes against national security.” 

Concerns have also been expressed at parliamentary level. “That law was suitable only at a time of war, or when the country was faced with a grave threat,” said Minister of National Languages and National Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara. “[The] PTA must be repealed as there is no necessity for it at this period of time."

Related reports

Sri Lankan human rights workers held on terrorism charges

After global outcry, Sri Lanka frees activists

Dialog Unblocked Colombo Telegraph For Dhanapala To Address A Public Meeting

March 26, 2014 

Dialog one of Sri Lanka’s key telecommunications providers, which had been surreptitious blocking access to Colombo Telegraph, over a period of time has lifted the illegal ban on Colombo Telegraph for its DirectorJayantha Dhanapala to give a speech in a public meeting, the Colombo Telegraph can reveal today.

Screenshot yesterday by a CT reader who uses Dialog

“I’m able to access CT via my iPhone today (dialog). Hadn’t been able to for a while” a Colombo Telegraph reader has sent us a message yesterday. Another reader messaged “Now the CT is not blocked, who did this?Jayantha D?”

Dhanpala, member of the Board of Directors, Dialog Axiata PLC, key co-signatory of theFriday Forum and much sought after resource person for workshops, seminars and conferences on good governance, was a speaker at the BASL summoned Public Forumon the vesting of Police Powers on the Army Navy and Air Force and the break down of the Rule of Law situation yesterday. “Dialog unblocked the CT to avoid questions and embarrassment ” sources within the Dialog told Colombo Telegraph.

“Dhanapala and Dialog Axiata PLC must explain why they have blocked Colombo Telegraph” readers within the Dialog told Colombo Telegraph.

The Dialog Axiata PLC’s 2013 annual report  is clear that: “The Board has separate and independent access to the Group’s Senior Management… ..The directors, especially non-executive directors, have access to independent professional advice in the course of fulfilling their responsibilities, at the Company’s expense.”

Dhanapala is an “Independent, non-executive” director of Dialog, and would in accordance with company policy, have “independent access to the group’s senior management,” and also “professional advice,” on the legal status of the blocking.

When contacted for comment on the ‘aims and objectives’ of the Friday Forum, a prominent member replied that it was committed to supporting the “rule of law,” “freedom of information and expression,” and  “an independent media.”

While Colombo Telegraph has no direct information of the quantum of compensation Dialog pays Jayantha Dhanapala, the 2013 annual report of lists an amount in excess of 76 million Rupees, as directors compensation for the entire board of 8 members, who meet 7 times a year.

Colombo Telegraph is being blocked by all internet service providers and mobile networks – private and state owned – in Sri Lanka.

Northern CM’s circular curtails officials’ freedom of movement

March 25, 2014, 9:56 pm 

Many an eyebrow has been raised over an attempt by Northern Chief Minister, C. V. Wigneswaran to restrict public servants’ freedom of movement through a special circular which, he has said, is in keeping with practices adopted in other provinces, various existing procedures and guidelines as well as expert advice received at a two-day seminar in late January this year.

Northern Chief Minister has introduced the new regulations with effect from February 15, 2014.

The circular prevents high ranking civil servants from leaving the Northern Province without his permission.

Chief Secretary of the Northern province, Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Ramesh has moved the Supreme Court against the CM’s circular.

ஒட்டுசுட்டானில் இளைஞர்கள் கைது : தேடப்படுவோர் பற்றிய சுவரொட்டிகளை அகற்றினராம்

25 மார்ச் 2014, செவ்வாய்
இராணுவத்தினரால் தேடப்படுவதாக விளம்பரப்படுத்தப்பட்ட நபர்கள் தொடர்பிலான சுவரொட்டிகளை அகற்றிய குற்றச்சாட்டில்   ஒட்டுசுட்டான் கூழாமுறிப்பைச் சேர்ந்த நான்கு இளைஞர்கள் கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

அத்துடன் இளைஞர்கள் மீது பொலிஸாரும் இராணுவத்தினரும் இணைந்து  தாக்குதலும் நடத்தியுள்ளனர். இதனால் இப் பகுதியில் பதற்றம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.

இது குறித்து மேலும் தெரியவருவதாவது,

தருமபுரம் சம்பவத்துடன் தொடர்புடையவர்கள் என்ற சந்தேகத்தில் தேடுப்படுகின்றவர்கள் தொடர்பாக வட பகுதியில் சுவரொட்டிகள் ஒட்டப்பட்டுள்ளன.

இவ்வாறு  ஒட்டப்பட்டிருந்த சுவரொட்டிகள் சிலவற்றை குறிப்பிட்ட சில பகுதிகளில் மர்ம நபர்கள் கிழித்தெறிந்துள்ளனர். இதனால் ஆத்திரமடைந்த இராணுவமும் பொலிசாரும்  கூழாமுறிப்புக் கிராமத்தினைச் சேர்ந்த நான்கு இளைஞர்களை  கைது செய்துள்ளனர்.

இச் சம்பவத்தில் கூழாமுறிப்புக் கிராமத்தைச் சேர்ந்த இளைஞர்களான அகஸ்டின் சலூஜன் (வயது 24), இராசேந்திரம் கமலதாஸ் (வயது 19), சுரேஷன் (வயது 25), நஜீதரன் (வயது 25) ஆகியோரே கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

இவர்கள் ஒட்டுசுட்டான் பொலிஸ் நிலையத்துக்கு அழைத்துச்  செல்லப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

அப் பொலிஸ் நிலையத்திற்குச் சென்ற உறவினர்கள் தமது பிள்ளைகளை விடுதலை செய்யுமாறு கோரியபோது, அவர்களை உடனடியாக விடுதலை செய்ய முடியாது என்றும் நீதிமன்றில் முன்னிலைப்படுத்திய பின்னரே விடுதலை செய்யமுடியும் என்றும் பொலிஸார் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

புதுக்குடியிருப்பில் இளைஞர் கைது

25 மார்ச் 2014, செவ்வாய்

முல்லைத்தீவு புதுக்குடியிருப்பு பகுதியில் பயங்கரவாத தடுப்பு பிரிவினரால் இளைஞர் ஒருவர் கைதுசெய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

 

நேற்று முன்தினம் இரவு பயங்கரவாத தடுப்புப் பிரிவினரால் இவர் கைது செய்யப்பட்டதாக தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது.பயங்கரவாத செயற்பாடுகளுடன் தொடர்புபட்டிருந்த குற்றச்சாட்டில் இவர் கைது செய்யப்பட்டதாக பொலிசார் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

 

கந்தனாலயன் என்றழைக்கப்படும் மாணிக்க காந்தன் என்பவரே கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

 

வடக்கில் தமிழ் இளைஞர்களை கைதுசெய்யும் நடவடிக்கையினை அரசு தீவிரப்படுத்தியுள்ளதுடன் குறிப்பாக இளைஞர்களின் நடவடிக்கையினை கண்காணிக்கும் பதிவு நடவடிக்கையில் படையினர் மற்றும் பொலிசார் ஈடுபட்டுள்ளனர் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

Sterile UNHRC and Defiant Colombo: Targeting women and the spirit of resistance

BY ATHITHAN JAYAPALAN-

MARCH 2014

As the 25thsession of UNHRC is unfolding in Genève, we are told that the supposed international community’s attention is directed towards the island of Sri Lanka.It was thus expected that the Sri Lankan state would be restricted in its conduct concerning human rights violation and Tamils. Furthermore the US sponsored draft resolution leaked on 3rd of March and was condemned by Tamil organizations around the world for being vague, toothless and in the continued facilitation of  Sri Lanka’s domestic mechanisms of investigation. However for the Sri Lankan state and its officials, the possibility of US sponsored international scrutiny and pressure was visibly building up fears of punitive actions.In that vein, the Sri Lankan state was looking for means to silence witnesses and other evidence of the allegations it is confronted with.

Sterile UNHRC and Defiant Colombo Targeting Women and the Spirit of Resistance by nelvely

Does Crimea Make Thamil Eelam More Likely?

By Kumar David -March 26, 2014 

Prof. Kumar David

Every time I address a topic like this it is necessary to define what The Right to Self-Determination means. It is boring but I have to do it, repeatedly, because of ignorance. The simplest barebones statement of the principle is as follows: If a cohesive group of people X, inhabiting a territory Y that can credibly become a separate state Z, wants to secede from nation W and constitute themselves as nation Z, so be it; they have the moral and political right to secede and set up sate Z. There is an equally fundamental second part to the principle: I (KD), who accepts this principle, nevertheless has the absolute right to campaign among people X, for or against secession depending on my assessment of what is better. However, if finally they insist, one way or the other, so be it.

Now to Sri Lanka; if X were Ceylon Tamils, territory Y Northern Province and Batticaloa District, the name Z was Thamil Eelam or anything else, and W was Lanka, what do I have to say? I say ‘yes’, you X have the right to secede or not to secede, but I also say, taking into account all contingent social, economic and international factors at this time, in my opinion, you X folks would be bloody fools if you chose to secede. Don’t do it!

Phew, with this abc is out of the way for the benefit of the politically less educated, I can get down to my topic for the day.

Why did Russia annexe Crimea?

I am certain that the most important reason for Crimean union with Russia was not the assertion of self-determination rights by the Crimean people, though this was a factor. The most important reason was Russian concerns about the security of the Russian nation. Putin’s sharp and sudden reaction was a response to a justified prima-facie fear that Russia’s security was at risk. The overthrow of kleptocratic but democratically elected president Viktor Yanukovych by popular protests that were hijacked at the last stage by a putsch executed by an “ultra right-wing fascistic paramilitary” (according to many commentators) and the possibility of NATO expansion left Putin no choice.

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Rajapakses devastating country, honored traditions and values: gun salute for pimps not to true heroes

(Lanka-e-News-25.March.2014, 11.30PM) By the Rajapakse regime firing the 21 gun salute at the funeral of the notorious ‘pimp’ of a police officer who died a cursed death following a rubber tree falling on him when he went to shoot at the protestors who demanded drinking water , the Rajapakse regime had insulted the cherished carefully safeguarded traditions and values of the country .

Following this firing of the 21 gun salute accorded at the funeral of a most disgraceful police officer who was during his life a lickspittle and pimp .

Not only the forces but even the police are thoroughly disillusioned specially because this gun salute was not fired at the funerals of members of the forces like late General Denzil Kobbekaduwa , SSP Charles Wijewardena who cut and chopped the LTTE cadres after abducting them to save the country , senior Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who died of an LTTE suicide bomb attack., and it was deemed right to fire this salute at the funeral of the police pimp Prasad Siriwardena who supplied whores to the bigwigs . 

It was the aim and hope of the present hopeless government that by this gun salute to honor such pimping security officers who went to shoot down the people , the morale of its security forces can be boosted. On the contrary the effect of its action was the very opposite – the forces and the police becoming most disillusioned and disgusted. 

Moreover the officers were further dismayed and disappointed over the double promotion given posthumously to this chief inspector of Borella police Prasad Siriwardena with reference to just one incident.

It is only officers in the performance of their duties duly who have acted heroically who deserve and are promoted. Hence , the disappointed police officers are questioning what is the heroic feat the pimp Prasad Siriwardena achieve to be given not one but two promotions at once. Indeed what this officer engaged in is in a task which was outside his purview. Hereunder is the evidence that testifies to that. Mind you the IGP himself has let the cat out of the bag.. 

In the official messages as recorded in phone register 962 sent by the Borella police regarding Prasad Siriwardena’s death to the IGP ‘s commanding quarters , senior DIG Colombo Central ,Police field force headquarters and Director police welfare division it is stated as follows : 

Borella OIC Prasad Siriwardena CI had died following an accident on 2014-03 16 at Thunthna , Hanwella, and that via a subsequent message details will be furnished. This clearly bears testimony that he has died in an accident and not in the performance of a heroic deed. 

In that case how was this police officer given a double promotion and his funeral honored with the firing of a 21 gun salute.


Following the death of a police officer , how the funeral proceedings should be carried out is given in the police department directive E 19.According to that , summoning police officers of other departments and firing a gun salute is not only illegal, but it is also an insult to the other officers who died heroically on duty, unlike Prasad.

This kind of wrongful honor was accorded to Prasad Sriwardena on his death because he was engaged in dishonorable services supplying body peddlers to the senior police bigwigs when he was living.

When Anura Senanayake was at Peliyagoda, Prasad supplied him with cuties by the name of Lalani and Samudrika aged 20 and 21 respectively, among others. Prasad’s pimping habit stood him in good stead so much so that he was therefore made OIC Borella.

The other reason for this salute was , the present IGP becoming a disgraceful stooge of Rajapakses and transforming into an ignoramus without any sense of shame as regards the laws and regulations. Incidentally the present IGP has not received even a single day’s training in the police academy.

Based on the first and second folios of the IGP’s service register he has only received training only in the police STF training camp Katukurunda. During the STF training, no training on ordinary police tasks is given. Hence , the present IGP who came from the STF gives special treatment to STF officers. Prasad Siriwardena was an officer who came from the STF.

Demilitarisation, Human Rights, and Indo-US Interests

Guest Column by Dr. Parasaran Rangarajan-Dated 25-Mar-2014

The United States is reported to have requested a military installation in Sri Lanka as part of its “Pivot Towards Asia” where the Pentagon has stated that approximately 60% of U.S. Navy assets will be in the Asia Pacific region including Oceania, South China Sea, and the Indian Ocean by 2020^[1] .

Demilitarisation, Human Rights, And Indo-US Interests by nelvely

Sri Lanka: Need for credible international investigations

President Rajapakse has said calls for an inquiry demonstrate an attitude of colonialism, writes Cadman [AP]

Documented crimes must be investigated if victims of atrocities are to have any real opportunity of seeking justice.

Toby Cadman

-26 Mar 2014
Allegations of war crimes during the internal conflict within Sri Lanka are not new. There have been calls for investigations for some time now, both from groups within Sri Lanka, and those within the international community. Notably, Australia has thus far refused to condemn the post war actions, nor has it added its voice to the calls for such an investigation. This is a stance that there does not appear to be any justification for and as a result it finds itself coming under increasing criticism.

Sri Lanka Need for Credible International Investigations by nelvely

Sri Lanka Says Request To UN High Commissioner To Undertake Independent Investigation Is A Partisan Politicised Agenda

Ambassador Aryasinha says “request to the Office of the High Commissioner to undertake a comprehensive independent investigation reflective of partisan politicised agenda”

March 26, 2014

Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha responding to the High Commissioner’s Report on Sri Lanka, informed the UN Human Rights Council on 26th March 2014 that rather than encourage and support the ongoing reconciliation process in Sri Lanka, as well as the constructive engagement Sri Lanka continues to maintain with the Council, it was ironic that the draft resolution on Sri Lanka being mooted by some members of this Council, is reflective of the same partisan politicised agenda through its request to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to undertake “a comprehensive independent investigation”. Assistance to this process by third party ‘experts’ whose mandate and credentials are far from clear; and its deliberate exclusion of a significant part of the duration of the terrorist conflict from the period under investigation via the introduction of a particular time frame, would be both precedent setting and prejudicial to the interests of all member and observer states of this Council in the future.

Responding on behalf of the Sri Lanka to the 25th Session of the Human Rights Council on the High Commissioner’s Report, Ambassador Aryasinha said, the Government of Sri Lanka has consistently and with good reason rejected previous resolutions on Sri Lanka proposed by the US, which have emanated from a politicized process and mandate, and without the consent of the country concerned, and would do so again. He said, Sri Lanka reiterates that any action taken in the promotion and protection of human rights of a country must have the consent of that country.

Ambassador Aryasinha drew attention to the trajectory that has emerged with regard to the recommendation contained in Report of the UN High Commissioner reflects “the preconceived, politicized and prejudicial agenda which has been relentlessly pursued with regard to Sri Lanka”. He said politicized processes will only impede the delicate balance of the ongoing reconciliation process in Sri Lanka, as well as the constructive engagement Sri Lanka has continued to maintain with the Council.

While pointing out to a clear lack of mandate and pre-conceived nature of its recommendations, he said his delegation was “surprised by the numerous errors and misperceptions contained in the draft report on Sri Lanka” which was despite the High Commissioner and her team having undertaken a comprehensive, week-long visit to Sri Lanka during which time they were provided with unfettered access to study first hand the situation on the ground. Expressing “deeply concern” at such glaringly erroneous information in a Report of this nature, he said, “one would have expected that the OHCHR to have undertaken a more stringent scrutiny of facts”. Pointing out to a deviation from last year on the OHCHR refusing to accede to Sri Lanka’s request to publish as an “Addendum” to the Report, the “Comments” of Sri Lanka on the High Commissioner’s Draft Report as done in 2013, he said it demonstrated the disregard to established precedent which seriously impeded the visibility and integrity of subject between the two documents.

Read the full response here

புலிகளின் புதிய தலைவர் எனக் கருதப்படும் கோபியின் தாய் கைது

Tue, 03/25/2014 

பயங்கரவாத புலனாய்வு பிரிவினரால் தேடப்பட்டு வரும் விடுதலைப் புலிகளின் புதிய தலைவர் எனக் கருதப்படும் கோபியின் தாயாரையும் மற்றுமொரு பெண்ணொருவரையும் பயங்கரவாத புலனாய்வு பிரிவு பொலிஸார் கைது செய்துள்ளனர்.

கிளிநொச்சி பகுதியில் வைத்து கைது செய்யப்பட்ட இவ்விருவரும் கொழும்புக்கு அழைத்து வரப்பட்டு பயங்கரவாத புலனாய்வு பிரிவின் தலைமையகத்தில் தடுத்து வைத்து விசாரணைக்கு உட்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளதாக பொலிஸ் ஊடகப் பேச்சாளர் சிரேஷ்ட பொலிஸ் அத்தியட்சகர் அஜித் ரோகண தெரிவித்தார்.

 

விடுதலைப் புலிகளின் புதிய தலைவர் எனக் கருதப்படும் கோபியின் தாயாரான செல்வநாயகம் ராசமலர் என்பவரும் அவருடன் தங்கியிருந்த மற்றுமொரு பெண் ஒருவருமே இவ்வாறு கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.