கிளிநொச்சியில் இராணுவத்தினரின் நில அபகரிப்பால் வீட்டுத்திட்ட நடவடிக்கைகள் பாதிப்பு!

Global Tamil News

குளோபல் தமிழச் செய்திகளின் விசேட செய்தியாளர் - 2ஆம் இணைப்பு:-

புகைப்படம்: கிளிநொச்சி சிவபுரம்:-

17-04-2014 - 19:14am
கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்டத்தில் முன்னெடுக்கப்பட்டு வரும் வீட்டு திட்ட நடவடிக்கை பாதிக் கட்டத்தையும் தாண்டவில்லை என்று தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது. கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்ட அரசாங்க அதிபர் ரூபவதி கேதீஸ்வரன் தலைமையில் கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்ட அரச அதிபர் அலுவலகத்தில் இன்று நடந்த கலந்துரையாடலில் இந்த விடயம் விவாதிக்கப்பட்டது.

கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்டத்திற்கு ஏழாயிரம் வீடுகள் இந்திய வீட்டுத்திட்டுத் திட்டத்தில் ஒதுக்கப்பட்டன. அவற்றில் இதுவரையில் மூவாயிரம் வீடுகளே கட்டப்பட்டுள்ளன என்று தெரிவித்த கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்ட அரச அதிபர் அவற்றில் பல வீடுகள் இன்னமும் கட்டி முடிக்கப்படாத நிலையில் உள்ள என்றும் குறிப்பிட்டார்.

வீட்டுத்திட்ட நடவடிக்கையில் பல்வேறு அரசியல்கள் காணப்படுவதினால் தொடர்ந்தும் இடையூறுகளைத் தாண்டியே நடவடிக்கைகள் தொடர்வதாக கிராம அலுவலர்கள் குறிப்பிடுகின்றனர். குறிப்பாக இலங்கை அரச படைகள் முன்னெடுக்கும் நில அபகரிப்பின் காரணமாகவே வீட்டுத்திட்ட நடவடிக்கைகள் தாமதமாவதாக தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது.

இராணுவத்தினர் வீட்டுத்திட்ட காலத்தில் காணிகளை அபகரிக்கும் நோக்குடன் மக்களை பிரச்சினைகளுக்கு உள்ளாக்கி வருவதாக கூறப்படுகிறது. சில அரச அதிகாரிகள் இராணுவத்தினரதும் அரசியல்வாதிகளினதும் இந்த நடவடிக்கைக்கு ஒத்துழைத்து மக்களை நெருக்கடிக்குள் தள்ளுவதாகவும் பெயர் குறிப்பிட விரும்பாத அரச அதிகாரி ஒருவர் குளோபலுக்குத் தெரிவித்தார்.

இராணுவத்தினர் கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்டத்தில் உள்ள சில கிராமங்களையும் நகரத்தை அண்டிய சில கிராமங்களின் சில பகுதிகளையும் தமக்கு வழங்க வேண்டும் என்று அரச அதிகாரிகளிடம் கேட்டுள்ளனர். இதனால் குறித்த காணிகளை இராணுவத்திற்காக அபகரிக்க அரச அதிகாரிகள் சில காரணங்களை சொல்லி வருகின்றனர்.

சலசலப்புக்களைத் தாண்டியே வீட்டுத்திட்ட நடவடிக்கைகள் முன்னெடுக்கப்பட்டு வருவதாக தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது. கிளிநொச்சிப் பகுதியில் மிள்குடியேற்ற நடவடிக்கைகள் தொடங்கப்பட்டு நான்கு வருடங்கள் ஆகின்றமை குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. நகரை அண்டிய சில இடங்களிலும்கூட இன்னமும் வீடுகள் அமைத்துக்கொடுக்கப்படவில்லை.

தொடர்ந்தும் கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்டத்தின் பல பகுதிகளில் மக்கள் தற்காலிக கூடாரங்களில் வசித்து வருகின்றனர். இந்த கூடாரங்கள் மக்கள் வசிக்க ஒகந்ததலல்ல என்றும் அதனால் நோய்கள் ஏற்படும் என்றும் குறித்த வீடுகளை அமைத்த தொண்டு நிறுவனங்கள் தெரிவித்திருந்தமையை அண்மையில் குளோபல் தமிழ் செய்திகள் வெளியிட்டிருந்தது.

வீட்டுத்திட்ட பிரச்சினைகளை தீர்த்து விரைவில் வீடுகளை அமைத்து முடிக்க வேண்டும் என்று இன்றைய கலந்துரையாடலில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டது. திட்டத்தில் ஒதுக்கப்பட்ட நிதியில் சிக்கனமாகவும் விரைவாகவும் வீடுகள் கட்டி முடிக்கப்பட வேண்டும் என்று கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்ட அரச அதிபர் தெரிவித்தார்.

அத்துடன் விரைவில் அடுத்த கட்ட பயனாளிகளுக்கான வீட்டுத்திட்டம் தொடங்கப்படும் எனவும் அவர் குறிப்பிட்டார். 

SRI LANKA: Nine people illegally arrested, detained and laid with fabricated charges

April 17, 2014

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a group of nine men were arrested by the Matale police at the instigation of the Superintendent of the Hunnasgiriya Estate. The incident occurred after a group of men protested at the office of the superintendent who had earlier assaulted a man for collecting firewood. The superintendent appeared to be inebriated at the time of the assault. Several of the men who were subsequently arrested were not even present at the time. This case is yet another illustration of the exceptional collapse of the rule of law in the country.

CASE NARRATIVE:

SRI LANKA Nine People Illegally Arrested, Detained and Laid With Fabricated Charges by nelvely

GTAJ condemns the attack on the journalist Sivagnam Selvatheepan in Jaffna

 Friday, 18 April 2014

 

 Selvatheepan  was beaten with iron rods by two unknown persons travelling on a motorcycle in the northern most Vallaiveli causing grievous injuries to the journalist.

 Mr. Selvatheepan is a reporter for some of the northern regional newspapers. Independent media has paid a heavy price in Sri Lanka in the recent years and the government has not made any efforts to arrest the culture of violence against media persons. In the climate of heavy military presence in the Tamil areas and the unhindered functioning of paramilitary groups loyal to the government, the perpetrators enjoy unhindered impunity to continue with their mission to suppress the free media.

Attack on Mr.Selvatheepan comes soon after the UNHRC resolution and circumstantially it is part of the concerted effort to prop up the bogey of re-emergence of the LTTE, thus creating conditions to impose a regimental control for the victims of the war to provide information on war crimes.

Despite ongoing local and international pressures to the extent of  claiming way back in 2007: “Sri Lanka’s… status was downgraded to ‘Not Free’, to reflect new official restrictions on media coverage as well as a rise in attacks against journalists – particularly ethnic Tamils – and media outlets in the north and east, where the government and the Tamil Tiger rebels effectively resumed their civil war,” Sri Lanka has not progressed to respect media freedom even during peace time.

Free media is corner stone of democracy. We believe that the media needs to be free to analyze and criticize the actions of societal institutions, including and perhaps especially the government. The predicament faced by the independent journalists, failing civil protection institution like the police service and the erosion of free and fair judiciary in Sri Lanka has consumed the lives of many journalists.

 GTAJ appeals to all those concerned of progressively failing media freedom in Sri Lanka to bring about sustainable pressure on Sri Lanka on the attack on the innocent journalist Mr. Sivagnam Selvatheepan.

Dhanapala Must Take A Stand And Resign From Dialog, Condemn Its Illegal, Unethical Behaviour – Kumar David

April 19, 2014

Professor Kumar David call upon Jayantha Dhanapala to resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour.  ”Then he will win back his self-respect.” Prof David said.

When asked for a comment on ‘Jayantha Dahanapala – Dialog – Friday Forum’ issue, Prof. David today said, asking Dhanapala to resign from Friday Forum is “rubbish”.  ”It would be unprincipled to resign from Friday Forum; JD must take a stand and resign from Dialog. These worthies love money, so it is unimaginable for them to part from big money! I call up JD to resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour. Then he will win back his self-respect.” he said.

These worthies love money, so it is unimaginable for them to part from big money! I call up JD to resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour. Then he will win back his self-respect.

We publish below prof Kumar David’s statement in full;

This Jayantha Danapala (JD) – Dialog affair is dragging on for too long. Chandra Jayaratne, Radhika, Chaminda Weerawardana and Paikiasothy have all written in saying JD is a splendid fellow and deserves the benefit of the doubt. These are all people of good social standing; so JD is entitled to the benefit of the doubt for a period till he drafts his reply. But JD has not responded for weeks to a serious charge of being a hypocrite; remember he has projected himself as a public figure in democratic rights and freedom of expression issues. It is now time to conclude that he will NOT explain himself to the public before whom he takes this high moral stand on public interest issues.

I would like to make a definitive summary of the matter and bring it to a close.

a)     Dialog and other service providers are blocking access to CT and other sites critical of the government. This is not an allegation; it is a fact. I am a technical type and I have checked it out at several user locations. THEY ARE BLOCKED.

b)     This is both illegal (in violation of the Telecommunications Regulations) and, for obvious reasons, it is unethical. This is a serious erosion of democracy.

c)     If this is because of verbal instructions from the Defence Secretary then Dialog and JD are stooges intruding on freedom of information by complying with such instructions.

d)     If this is in obedience to formal (written) instructions from the government, then Dialog and other service providers resorting to this illegal and unethical practice, need, at least, to bring this to the attention of the public. One would expect JD, if such instructions exist, to insist they are brought to public attention.

e)     Most of the commentators in the CT have said JD needs to make a decision and “resign from Friday Forum (FF)” if he perceives a conflict of interest. I say this is rubbish. It would be unprincipled to resign from FF; JD must take a stand and resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour. These worthies love money, so it is unimaginable for them to part from big money! I call up JD to resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour. Then he will win back his self-respect.

f)      JD’s failure to do so makes the conclusion unavoidable that he is not prepared to forgo the large payments he gets from Dialog for his services on the Board. JD has a high reputation and being well paid is fine. Compromising his principles is NOT fine.

Maybe we can close this matter on this sad note.

Related posts;

On Sri Lanka, ICP Asks Darusman Of Report, He Cites Cambodia, DPRK

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, April 17 -- Arguing for a referral to the International Criminal Court of North Korea on April 17 was Marzuki Darusman, who previously chaired a three member panel at the UN about war crimes in Sri Lanka. 

  On that report, which the UN released only in redacted form, little was done in the first instance. After inaction by the Rajapaksa government, a vote was held on March 27 at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva calling for another investigation - one that the Rajapaksa government says it will not cooperate with, may prosecute witnesses to.

  Inner City Press asked Darusman if he felt his report on Sri Lanka, before this North Korea report he did on a panel with Australia's Michael Kirby, was successful. Darusman responded that in Cambodia, justice took a long time, but that each step moved things along.

  By contrast to this week's Arria formula meetings of members of the Security Council on Syria and North Korea with full evidentiary presentations of photographs and witnesses, the Security Council did very little on Sri Lanka.

  Ironically, while Michael Kirby's Australia was one of the three requesters of the April 17 Arria formula meeting on Norht Korea, it has a quite different position on Sri Lanka, even giving boats to the Rajapaksa government. Does Australia respect Darusman's views? Has the Australia government asked Darusman about Sri Lanka?

  By contrast, the Security Council held a fomal public meeting this week on human rights in... Ukraine. Navi Pillay's deputy and prospective replacement Ivan Simonovic recounted deaths in the three digits. One delegate exiting the North Korea Arria on April 17 made the contrast, and referred to the story of the child who complained too much, like the boy who cried wolf. 

 So Ukraine human rights is a topic for a formal meeting of the Security Council, but Sri Lanka wasn't and won't be? Watch this site.

Muslim village not in Wilpattu 

By Latheef Farook- April 18, 2014 

A small minority of Muslim families were living peacefully for centuries in the Marichchikatti village in the Musali division in the Mannar District. They were involved in paddy cultivation and other such work. In keeping with their religious requirement they built their own mosque there. To help continue with their cultivation work, the government even built a dam – before 1970.

Life was simple and they remained a contented lot.

In 1990, with the Tamil Tiger terrorists’ ethnic cleansing of Muslims in the North, these families too were driven out, and they lost all their belongings and ended up empty-handed in camps for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Puttalam, where, like other IDPs, they languished in poverty, besides facing numerous other problems.

They were all happy when the government forces defeated the LTTE in May 2009 hopeful that they too could return to their own soil and rebuild their lives.

With the situation improving after the war they started returning to their ancestral village of Marichchikatti only to realize that the entire village had become jungle as it had been neglected for almost two decades.

Yet, they did not lose hope. All what they wanted was to clear the jungle and live in their own soil. Pinning their hope on Allah they jointly and individually cleared the jungle, which was no easy task. They did so with the support of the government and the Divisional Secretary.

They were all poor and did not possess the money to rebuild proper houses. However, they built mud-walled huts covered with palm leaves and settled there. A non-governmental organization helped them put up these huts.

Today there are around 150 families and about 500 people.

This has nothing to do with the Wilpattu National Park. However, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), which is spearheading a fierce anti-Muslim campaign, tearing apart communities and pushing the country towards a disastrous path, began a vicious campaign saying that Marichchikatti is located in Wilpattu and Industries Minister, Rishad Bathiudeen is colonizing the Wilpattu Sanctuary with Muslims.

This was misleading as the Marichichikattu village belongs to the Musali division in the Mannar District.

With the BBS campaign intensifying, a group of eight Buddhist monks led by the Secretary Jathika Bala Sena, Ven Watareka Vijitha Thera, visited Marichchikatti village on a study tour, while so-called Muslim parliamentarians, who have sold their souls for positions and perks, were busy watching cricket.

Contrary to BBS propaganda, they found that Muslims were living in their own village in Marichchikatti and not inside the Wilpattu Sanctuary.

These Muslims have also produced deeds and all other relevant documents for their lands. They had also shown evidence of an old mosque there before they were evicted. This mosque is now under Navy control.

Meanwhile, refuting the BBS allegations, Minister Bathiudeen has said these houses were built with the knowledge of the government.

There is nothing illegal in building these houses as they have acquired permission from the relevant line ministries and this is sanctioned by the government.

Meanwhile, squatters vowed to commit suicide and Mannar District Secretary, M.Y. Deshapriya, has promised some relief. About 70 displaced families squatting at the location said the location was their original residences before they were evicted by the LTTE in 1990

Courtesy: Ceylon Today

Sri Lanka: Defeat extremism, SLMC tells govt

Sri Lanka: Defeat extremism, SLMC tells govt

Thursday, April 17, 2014 

General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) M. T. Hassan Ali said that the minority communities were demanding that the government act fast to put an end to all illegal acts by the Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS) and all other extremists groups that had got out of hand.

 He told The Island yesterday (16) that unless the government acted immediately there would be chaos as the BBS was trying to engineer communal violence.

The rule of law must be preserved for the benefit of all Sri Lankans the BBS and other extremists had no right to storm houses, mosques, churches etc. They should not be allowed to take the law into their own hand, but report it to the government authorities if there was any problem, Hassan Ali said.

He asked whether the government had recognised the BBS as a private army.

The SLMC General Secretary said that the government should take control of the situation and ensured that the extremist groups did not threaten the interests of the minority communities who had a constitutionally guaranteed right to live as equal citizens free from fear and harassment.

by Lal Gunesekera
The Island

US says SL fortunate to end civil war but reconciliation has proved challenging

US says SL fortunate to end civil war but reconciliation has proved challenging

IApr 17, 2014

n its remarks on Foreign Policy in South Asia, the US State Department says that despite Sri Lanka being fortunate to end its civil war, reconciliation has proved challenging.

In a statement on Foreign Policy, US Assistant Secretary of State of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal says , following the March UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka, the US continues to call for credible efforts to ensure accountability and justice.

She adds that the United States looks forward to a resumption of more comprehensive military relationship once the Government of Sri Lanka has made better progress towards reconciliation and accountability.

What Next, A Ban On Laughter?

By  Malinda Seneviratne  -  April 18, 2014

Malinda Seneviratne

President Mahinda Rajapaksa knows how to smile.  Everyone knows this, even those who erroneously think that his biggest strength is his affable nature and the ease with which can interact with people from all walks of life. He can make a joke and he can take a joke. As is the case of all leaders he has had his share of lampooning. Indeed, in the age of the internet, he’s had it worse than his predecessors.  He has smiled through it all.

It is certainly a person of character who can take a hit and still stand tall.  The stronger among us are endowed with both humility and a sense of humor.  Most importantly they can laugh at themselves and laugh with others even when the joke is less tasteful and perhaps unfair. They know that political satire is an inevitable in political life and are not fazed by it.

Now it is true that not everyone is blessed with a sense of humor that helps overcome adversity and rise above poison pens and such.  Still, that’s hardly an argument for outlawing humor including political satire.  It is an inevitable and important part of a vibrant democracy.

Take it out and it would be like Mahinda Rajapaksa without a smile.  It would not make a difference if he had never smiled, but a smile-less president would not only look different, it would be ‘news’ and indicative of many things political.                                                                              Read More

Urgently resume the dialogue to avoid dangerous backslide to past - NPC

 Friday, 18 April 2014 

Less than five years after the end of the three decade long internal war, the Sri Lankan government has warned that the LTTE is regrouping and plotting to renew its violent campaign for a separate state again.  This warning has come in the context of a shootout reported in the North that led to the killing of three LTTE members by the military who, according to the government, had shot and injured a policeman in the leg.   The security forces conducted extensive cordon and search operations and arrested over 60 persons, including civic activists, prior to the final shootout.  The slain persons are accused of having had connections with the Tamil Diaspora.

The National Peace Council notes that this violence, which is the first LTTE-related violence since the end of the war, occurred soon after the passage of the UNHRC resolution calling for an international investigation into the last phase of Sri Lanka’s war.  The government has refused to cooperate with this investigation.  It has also banned 16 Tamil Diaspora organizations and 424 individuals whom it has accused of promoting terrorism.   Reports from the North indicate that the military role has grown and the space for civil society to function has shrunk due to permission for activities that has to be obtained and is either not forthcoming or is deemed to be impossible to obtain.

In the absence of a mutually acceptable political solution, the Tamil Diaspora will persist on highlighting the concerns of civilians living in the former LTTE held areas that continue to disrupt their lives in a variety of ways reminiscent of the ground realities that prevailed during the war.  The strongly entrenched security apparatus in the country, particularly in the North, is likely to generate more anti-government rhetoric from among the Tamil Diaspora and the international community that is sympathetic to their cause.  This situation can only be reversed with genuine reconciliation that will help deal with residual hatreds, fears and anxieties of a post-war militarized context.

The National Peace Council therefore urges the government and other political parties in the country to urgently set up institutions to enable the Tamil people to be given a measure of autonomy .The government held elections and established the Northern Provincial Council. But it is useless unless the Northern Provincial Council is allowed to function without undue interference from central authorities.  It must also discuss with the TNA a more inclusive political solution.  We also call on the government to come up with a national investigative mechanism that could cooperate with the UNHRC-appointed investigative body on the issues of truth-seeking and accountability.  We refer to the East Timor example where the members of the national Commission were appointed by the UN and which was allowed to function without hindrance from the military.

The great American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. differentiated between those who prefer a negative peace, which is the absence of tension to a positive peace, which is the presence of justice.  An imposed peace that is bereft of genuine opportunities for peace is likely to be of little lasting value. We should make sincere efforts to redress historic or past grievances that precipitated the conflict in the first place. All parties should be honestly committed to develop and foster new, mutually beneficial relationships.  The absence of dialogue between the different stakeholders weakens and leads to the destruction of relationships.  We advocate a mechanism that will create opportunities for all stakeholders, including the Tamil Diaspora, to engage in a process of dialogue that will lead to reconciliation. 

Where is law and order in this country? -Karu Jayasuriya
(Lanka-e-News- 18.April.2014, 3.30PM) Mark the day. Thursday, April 17, 2014 would go down in Sri Lankan history as a 'black day'. Elected Representatives of the people, a team of UNP Parliamentarians five in number, comprising Ajith Perera, Eran Wickramaratne, R Yogarajan, Nalin Bandara and Ajith Manapperuma visited the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport and Hambantota Harbor projects, the twin-white elephants of this Government. They were greeted with catcalls, stones and guns by the devotees and supporters of the Rajapaksa clan in their own den. The electorate is that of the Speaker of the House of Parliament. The district is the playground of the President of the country and the visit was a basic expression of a fundamental right of each and every citizen of this country- freedom of movement. While the President, just twenty hours before this horrendous incident, was taking part in a traditional New Year Oil-anointment celebration, his goons went to work, brandishing weapons of violence and exposing to the hilt, the President's hypocritical adherence to tradition and rituals. The Rajapaksas have made a mockery of democracy, of civility and of decency. 

The team of Parliamentarians was manhandled by the thugs of the regime, intimidated by gun -trotting Hambantota Mayor Eraj Ravindra Fernando and harassed beyond shame by those who have been brainwashed evidently on the strict instructions of the godfathers of the Deep South- Rajapaksas. Mayor Eraj Fernando carrying a loaded pistol was visible for everyone and has been seen on camera, thanks to the alertness of the media cameramen.

This is not the country we should leave behind for our children to inherit. Political power does not give this Government or any other person, civil or uniformed, any privilege to curb the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution. The sheer impotence of the Police Department was in vivid display. Uniformed men were reduced to being mere spectators. Good governance, transparency, accountability and basic decency were all thrown out the window.

This gross violation of societal discipline was once evidenced long years ago in a different era. Now it's revisiting us in a much more gruesome manner and the ominous signals that these latest incidents emanate would be extremely harmful to a growing young generation.


It is with a deep sense of sorrow and nostalgia that we remember how the Opposition Parliamentarians ere-escorted with serene dignity and decorum to the then emerging Mahaweli dams and reservoirs. Apparently the Rajapaksas and their cohorts don't seem to understand the meaning of dignity and ethical behavior.

This gross violation of basic human rights of our citizens must be condemned without equivocation. It is a slap on the face of every man, woman and child living in this land. It is with a great sense of responsibility and grave duty that I ask the Honorable Speaker of the House of Parliament, who hails from the district in which this incident took place, to appoint a panel of investigators who are of eminence and acceptability to go into this callous and violent behavior of thugs and hooligans and submit the findings to Parliament. The victims were members of Parliament and the attackers were directly identified as government-sponsored ruffians.

The dishonorable behavior of the Police officers, who were present while this gross violation of human rights took place and yet were observing non-interference, is a clear indication as to what power and armor could do to shield these wrong-doers. We also condemn vehemently the remarks made by Ajith Rohana, the Police Spokesperson who has stated that if the MPs took their security details, the incidents could have been averted. The Police spokesperson has become a Government propagandist and is not only a disgrace to the Police uniform but also to the government that is merely paying lip service to democracy. The Police spokesperson is uttering outright lies and he should be made accountable for that grave misdemeanor too.

This only lends credence to allegations at last month's UN Human Rights Council sessions that violation of human rights is a regular feature in Sri Lanka. Not only her citizens, but even the rights of lawfully elected Parliamentarians are in danger of being extinct.

It is the right, duty and responsibility of every citizen in the country to condemn this act and seek justice via the highest legislative body of the country, Parliament.              

Karu Jayasuriya

Acting Leader, United National Party
Chairman, United Leadership Council, UNP
April 18, 2014

Counter-Terrorism: Learning From The Sri Lankan Experience

By  Gotabaya Rajapaksa  - April 18, 2014 

Gotabaya Rajapaksa

I thank the Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security for organising the Putrajaya Forum, which affords an invaluable opportunity for those involved in Defence and Security from many countries to discuss topics of mutual importance. This session, which examines the Influence of Non State Actors and their Impact on Global Security, essentially sums up much of the content discussed at this Forum over the last two days. Strengthening Security and Regional Stability in today’s context requires us to pay considerable attention to the emerging threats posed by non-state actors.

As a country that suffered three decades of ruthless terrorism, there is a great deal that can be learnt from the Sri Lankan experience with non-state actors. Described by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation as “among the most dangerous and deadly extremists in the world”, the LTTE was no ordinary terrorist group. Among its more than one hundred thousands victims were a serving President of Sri Lanka, a former Prime Minister of India, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Defence Minister and many other politicians and state officials including most moderate Tamil leaders, as well as tens of thousands of civilians. They attacked some of Sri Lanka’s most sacred places of religious worship, and many of the country’s most important economic targets including the Central Bank and the International Airport. At its height, the LTTE had more than 30,000 battle-hardened cadres and a large number of auxiliary forces; large stockpiles of modern armaments, ammunition and equipment; a sophisticated naval wing and a fast developing air wing. It effectively controlled large extents of the country’s territory and a considerable proportion of its coastline. It was a non-state actor of great power and reach, and it posed an extreme threat to Sri Lanka until its defeat in May 2009 through a military operation launched by the Government     .Read More

Tamil soldier and so called new LTTE leaders were murdered in conspiracy by regime-Jaffna commander major general Udaya Perera's statement confirms

(Lanka-e-News-15.April.2014, 2.30 PM) Commander in chief of Jaffna, Major general Udaya Perera had made ​​a statement to the Udayan newspaper published in Jaffna that the three so called LTTE leaders who were killed by the Rajapakse regime in the jungles of Nedunkarni were in the custody of the army three days prior to the killing. Its had in the Udayan Newspaper Published April 8th edition of this, is that the 11 TH On Three days Prior to the killings.

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Sri Lanka's govt obtains Interpol red notices on 96 terror suspects

Sri Lanka's govt obtains Interpol red notices on 96 terror suspects

Xinhua - 2014-4-17

Sri Lanka police have obtained 40 Interpol "red notices" flagging foreign operatives of the Tamil Tigers as the government continues to crack down on attempts to revive the organization locally, an official said here on Thursday.

Sri Lanka's government ended a 27 year war with the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE) in 2009 but has come under fire from the international community for disregarding allegations of war crimes and undermining human rights.

In recent weeks the army and police have been engaged in a controversial crackdown of suspected LTTE operatives in the northern region of Sri Lanka who the government insists is attempting to revive the organization.

Early morning clashes between Sri Lanka's army and suspected Tamil Tiger operatives in the northern part of the country on Friday killed three terrorist suspects including a local leader.

Police and army officials have also stepped up attempts to clampdown on known supporters of the LTTE living in Europe and suspected of funding the recent revival, Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said during a media briefing.

"In addition to the 40 Red Notices by Interpol another 56 non- LTTE operatives have also been flagged. Six suspected LTTE members were arrested by the Indian police in Chennai while attempting to give three Sri Lankan youth weapons training. The government is working on extraditing these people to face trial in Sri Lanka," he told reporters.

These Red Notices include two LTTE operatives identified as " Vinayagam" and "Nediyawan" by Police who are suspected of financing and re-organizing the LTTE. They are believed to be living in Norway and France.

In the case of Red Notices, the persons concerned are wanted by national jurisdictions for prosecution or to serve a sentence based on an arrest warrant or court decision.

Interpol's role is to assist the national police forces in identifying and locating these persons with a view to their arrest and extradition or similar lawful action.

A total of 65 people were also arrested with suspected terror links but only 44 of these now remain in custody, Rohana added.

Last month the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) passed a resolution allowing an investigation through the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the last seven years of the conflict.

Allegations of war crimes committed during this time has dodged the Sri Lankan government consistently with widespread condemnation from the international community led by Britain, US and Canada.

The UN probe has been vehemently rejected by the Sri Lankan government.

In response the government also banned 16 Tamil organizations that it says is pro-LTTE, drawing even more fire from rights groups such as New York-based Human Rights Watch that has condemned the move as an attempt to limit legitimate political concerns of the Tamil people.

The Rise And Fall Of The BSO: Crisis Management UNP Style

By  maddening Hoole  - April 18, 2014

Rajan Hoole

The 1990s: The Culture of Untruth and a Perilous Vacuum Part 3

Although Jayewardene’s style was described as patrician, his success was mainly as a juggler. Increasing disorder was the hallmark of his governance. He manipulated his ministers and balanced disorder cropping up in one place by creating disorder elsewhere. Periodic explosions were inevitable. He had no direct contact with the shock troops, but earlier he had them organised through Cyril Mathew and the JSS. Premadasa with his own shock troops was given the leeway to do his own thing, but no minister was allowed to take the upper hand. This arrangement undoubtedly got out of balance with Mathew’s departure and then the JVP insurgency. Things being as they were, as much as the people longed for it, there was absolutely no hope that Jayewardene would crack down on crime and corruption.

It fell to Ranjan Wijeratne, confident after his suppression of the JVP, but a novice to the ground rules of realpolitik under the UNP, to try his hand. The activities of his BSO (Bureau of Special Operations) could not help treading the toes of Colombo’s great and the good. After Wijeratne’s death, the BSO was harassed and eventually wound up and its head Udugampola  had to go underground. The following is from Udugampola’s statement released from underground on 4th April 1992 which first appeared in the Attha and then in other papers (e.g. Island 6th April 1992):

“The attack on the BSO was not from human rights activists but from highly placed corrupt persons within the Police Force itself. When the BSO raided the Flamingo Club a long list of kick-backs to high police officers and other powerful or influential persons was discovered there. When Joe Sim’s establishments were raided there was incriminating evidence found there too. The late Mr. Ranjan Wijeratne was aware of all this and took his steps against Joe Sim after confidently showing the strength of his hand by making a public announcement in Parliament itself. It was unfortunate that Mr. Wijeratne was killed soon after this when he was working on other matters too which were unearthed by the BSO.  

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UPDATE: Ten dead after tractor falls into canal

April 18, 2014 
Ten people have died after a tractor that was transporting them toppled into the ZD canal in Aluthoya, Aralaganwila, Director of the Aralaganwila hospital confirmed.  Two others who were injured have been transferred to Polonnaruwa General Hospital.

Three others who were injured have been treated and in good health, the director said. Search operations are underway to find any possible survivors .

Canada confirms arrest, won’t release details

UK’s Canadian informant in custody over heroin charge:

by Shamindra Ferdinando-April 17, 2014, 12:00 pm 

Confirming the arrest of a Canadian passport holder of Sri Lankan origin in connection with the ongoing high profile investigation into an abortive bid to smuggle in 36 kilos of heroin to Sri Lanka during the first week of March 2014, the Canadian government said that it was seeking additional information.

Spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Béatrice Fénelon said: "Canadian officials are providing consular services to a Canadian citizen who has been detained in Colombo. Consular officials are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information. To protect the privacy of the individual concerned, further details on this case cannot be released."

The official was responding to our query whether Canada had received access to the suspect in the wake of the British claiming that the Canadian passport holder was an informant working closely with them. The Island also sought information as regards Canadian cooperation with Sri Lanka as well as the suspect receiving Canadian passport.

However, a senior official at the External Affairs Ministry told The Island yesterday that Canada hadn’t contacted the relevant desk regarding the arrest, though the British had inquired about the incident.

In an exclusive front-page news item headlined ‘UK intervenes on behalf of Canadian held for heroin smuggling’ The Island in its April 10 edition revealed the existence of a Pakistani link in the smuggling operation.

Following the recovery of a stock of heroin with a street value of Rs.360 million the police arrested the Canadian passport holder on March 19. Also on the same day, the police took into custody a 53-year-old Pakistani.

A New Delhi based British diplomat and a high ranking official attached to the British High Commission recently made representations to Sri Lankan security and intelligence authorities regarding the arrest of a Canadian citizen of Sri Lankan origin.

 The British High Commission declined to comment. Soon after the detection was made at the Orugodawatte warehouse, the Customs declared that the operation received the backing of the National Crime Agency in the UK.

Police headquarters spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana told The Island that the Canadian passport holder identified as Mohammed Ali Sabri was among three persons arrested in connection with the investigation. According to SSP Rohana, Sabri had received Canadian citizenship way back in 1996. The police spokesman quoted an unnamed senior investigator as having said: "On the basis of information transpired during the interrogation of suspects, the police are looking for several other suspects. More arrests are likely to take place soon." The police identified the third suspect as Shyam, whose name had transpired in previous investigations into smuggling of heroin into the country.

Defence and External Affairs Ministry officials said that the police would continue with the investigation in accordance with overall plan to cripple heroin smuggling networks. A senior Defence Ministry official said that the British intervention was unprecedented as well as worrying. Responding to a query, another official said that investigators were keen to find out the circumstances under which the Sri Lankan had received Canadian citizenship. The possibility of Canada issuing a passport under a fictitious name, too, couldn’t be ruled out, the official said, recalling one-time Tamil JVP activist Kumar Gunaratnam receiving an Australian passport bearing the name of Noel Mudalige some time back. Gunaratnam alias Mudalige is the incumbent leader of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP).