'பள்ளிக்கூடம் சென்று புகைப்படம் எடுத்த படையினர்'

'பள்ளிக்கூடம் சென்று புகைப்படம் எடுத்த படையினர்'--கடைசியாக பிரசுரிக்கப்பட்டது: 26 ஏப்ரல், 2014 

இலங்கையின் வடமேற்கே மன்னார் மாவட்டம் மடு கல்வி வலயத்திற்கு உட்பட்ட சில பாடசாலைகளுக்குச் சென்ற படையினர் அங்கு அதிபர், ஆசிரியர்கள், மாணவர்களின் விபரங்களைச் சேகரித்துள்ளதுடன், அவர்களைப் புகைப்படங்கள் எடுத்துச் சென்றுள்ளதாகத் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கின்றது.

பாடசாலைகளில் கல்விச் செயற்பாடுகள் இடம்பெற்றுக்கொண்டிருந்த நேரத்தில் இது நடைபெற்றிருப்பதனால், அந்தப் பாடசாலைகளில் கல்வி நடவடிக்கைகள் பாதிக்கப்பட்டதுடன், அதிபர், ஆசிரியர்கள் மற்றும் மாணவர்கள் அச்சமடைந்துள்ளதாக ஆசிரியர்களும் பெற்றோர்களும் தெரிவித்திருக்கின்றனர்.

இது தொடர்பாக சம்பந்தப்பட்ட பாடசாலைகளைச் சேர்ந்த அதிபர்கள், தமது மேலதிகாரிகளுக்கு முறையிட்டிருக்கின்றார்கள். வலயன்கட்டு காக்கையன்குளம் உள்ளிட்ட பாடசாலைகளில் இந்தச் சம்பவம் நடைபெற்றிருப்பதாகத் தங்களுக்கு அறிவிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதாக அததிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்திருக்கின்றனர்.

ஆசிரியர் சங்கம் கண்டனம்

இந்தச் சம்பவத்தை இலங்கை ஆசிரியர் சங்கம் கண்டித்திருக்கின்றது.

இதுபற்றி கருத்து வெளியிட்ட அந்தச் சங்கத்தின் செயலாளர் ஜோசப் ஸ்டாலின், யுத்தம் முடிவடைந்த பின்னர், யுத்தம் நடைபெற்ற பகுதிகளில் அமைதி நிலவுகின்ற நேரத்தில் இவ்வாறு பாடசாலைகளில் அதிபர், ஆசிரியர்கள், மாணவர்கள் மற்றும் பெற்றோர்களை அச்சமடையச் செய்யும் வகையில் படையினர் நடந்து கொண்டிருப்பதாகக் கூறினார்.

பாடசாலை நேரத்தில் நடைபெற்ற இந்த சம்பவங்கள் காரணமாக பாடசாலைச் சூழலில் பதற்ற நிலைமை உருவாகியிருப்பதாகவும் இதனால் அங்கு கல்விச் செயற்பாடுகள் பாதிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதாகவும் அவர் தெரிவித்தார்.

''பாடசாலைகள் பற்றிய விபரங்கள் தேவைப்பட்டால், மாகாண கல்வி அமைச்சின் செயலாளரிடம் பெற்றுக் கொள்வதே முறையாகும். அவ்வாறில்லாமல், பாடசாலைகள் நடைபெறும் நேரத்தில் படையினர் அங்கு சென்று இவ்வாறு நடந்து கொள்வது தவறான காரியமாகும்'' என்றும் அவர் கூறினார்

இதனைத் தடுத்து நிறுத்துவதற்கு உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்குமாறு மாகாண கல்வி அமைச்சின் செயலாளர் உள்ளிட்ட அதிகாரிகளிடம் கோரியிருப்பதாகவும், வடமாகாண கல்வி அமைச்சின் செயலாளரும், குறிப்பாக வடமாகாண முதலமைச்சரும் உடனடியாக உரிய கவனம் செலுத்த வேண்டும் என்றும் இலங்கை ஆசிரியர் சங்கத்தின் செயலாளர் ஜோசப் ஸ்டாலின் கோரியுள்ளார்.

S J V Chelvanayakam: The Father Of The Tamil Nation

By Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah -April 27, 2014

Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah

In his light we shall travel…

Remembering some eventful moments in the life of Thanthai Chelva, of historical significance to Eelam Tamils, looking through both A J Wilson’s book: S J V Chelvanayakam and the Crisis of Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism and the late Nadesan Satyendra’s Tamil Nation web portal and from tributes at his death. 

“Throughout the ages the Sinhalese and Tamils in the country lived as distinct sovereign people till they were brought under foreign domination. It should be remembered that the Tamils were in the vanguard of the struggle for independence in the full confidence that they also will regain their freedom. We have for the last 25 years made every effort to secure our political rights on the basis of equality with the Sinhalese in a united Ceylon…It is a regrettable fact that successive Sinhalese governments have used the power that flows from independence to deny us our fundamental rights and reduce us to the position of a subject people. These governments have been able to do so only by using against the Tamils the sovereignty common to the Sinhalese and the Tamils…I wish to announce to my people and to the country that I consider the verdict at this election as a mandate that the Tamil Eelam Nation should exercise the sovereignty already vested in the Tamil people and become free.”

Such were the evocative words spoken by S J V Chelvanayakam QC MP (quote taken from Tamil Nation website) after he won the Kankesanturai seat convincingly with a sweeping majority, having resigned his seat in October, 1972 to re-contest his parliamentary seat in September 1975  (in a by-election that the Sirimavo government wilfully delayed) to seek the peoples’ mandate for Tamil Eelam.

S J V Chelvanayakam: 31 March 1898 – 26 April 1977

Earlier, challenging the Sirimavo government’s decision to establish a constituent assembly and formulate a new constitution, Chelvanayakam took the “momentous decision” to submit himself to the people’s will, “on the issue that the Tamil people had rejected the 1972 constitution.”

A J Wilson writes in his book: S J V Chelvanayakam and the Crisis of Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism that, “for Chelvanayakam and the Federal Party the most disturbing aspects of this constitution-making process was the decision to enshrine the Sinhala language as the one official language, to reduce the status of Tamil to a language requiring translation, to provide special provision to Buddhism and to do away with section 29 of the Soulbury Constitution which had hitherto been a covenant for the protection of minority rights.”

“The decision will be that of the Tamil people. My policy will be that in view of the events that have taken place , the Tamil people of Ceylon should have the right to determine their future, whether they are to be subject race in Ceylon or they are to be free people.  Let the government contest me on that position. If I lose I give up my policy. The government loses, let it not say the Tamil people supports its policy and its constitution.” so saying Chelvanayakam resigned his seat risking his political future on the critical issue of rejecting the 1972 republican constitution for Tamil self-determination.

Read More

No room For LTTE To Regroup In Sri Lanka Or Overseas – Suresh Premachandran

By Waruni Karunarathne-Saturday, April 26, 2014

With the military claiming to have shot dead Selvanayagam Kajeepan alias Gobi and two others who were said to be attempting to revive the LTTE in the North, several Tamil political parties and civil society organisations have raised doubts on the possibility of any such rebellious activities. According to some, the whole incident seems like an attempt by the government to maintain a strong military presence in the North. While the government says there is a fear of the LTTE regrouping in the country, TNA MP Suresh Premachandran speaking to The Sunday Leader insisted that there was absolutely no space for the LTTE to regroup in Sri Lanka or overseas.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: The Government says the death of former LTTE member Gobi is proof that the LTTE was regrouping in the North. Do you agree?
A: I came to know that this so-called Gobi was in a rehabilitation centre and thereafter went to Middle East for work. Upon his return, he had been working with government intelligence groups. If the government says that there is proof of the LTTE regrouping in the North, it is absolute rubbish. Gobi may have been a former LTTE cadre but after the war he was said to be working with the government. However, Gobi and two others were accused of regrouping the LTTE and were shot dead by the military. I do not understand why they killed him.

The bodies were also not given back to their families. I strongly feel that this is a well-orchestrated drama to keep the armed forces in the North. We do not think that the LTTE is regrouping in the North. Besides, Gobi was not a capable person for that.

Q: Is there a need for the army to maintain a strong presence in the North on national security grounds?
A: There is no need at all. From the beginning, apart from this drama, there has not been a single incident during the last five years. The government says that Gobi shot a policeman but there wasn’t a single picture of the injured person even though it was reported in the papers that a policeman was injured and admitted to hospital.

The government is the only source that provides such news. There was another incident where the government claimed that another army soldier was shot dead and that happened to be a Tamil boy who was working with the army. The government seems to be killing people and creating stories. We can assure that there is no need to have a military presence in the Northern Province.

Q: Would the TNA agree with the Government that there should no room for the LTTE to re-emerge in Sri Lanka?
A: We do not want any violence in the country. We know for sure that there is no space for the LTTE to regroup in Sri Lanka. Nobody wants that to happen. More than the government, the TNA would not want any violence in the North, East or in the entire country. People in the North have been through enough suffering.

Q: What does the TNA expect from the international community when dealing with former rebels said to be operating overseas?
 A: To my knowledge and understanding there are no rebels operating overseas. There are Tamil organizations that are very transparent and democratic.

They work hand in hand with valid and recognized groups. If they are operating violently or dealing with weapons, they should be banned, but not otherwise. I do not know whether the LTTE is alive in any part of the world.

However several names of Tamil organizations that are fighting for Tamil rights democratically and transparently appeared in the list. We do not believe that there are any Tamil groups dealing with any rebels or that they are involved in any rebellious activities in Sri Lanka or overseas.

Q: What will it take for Tamils to say that they are experiencing real peace?
A: The government of Sri Lanka should be prepared to accept the Tamil people as citizens of this country. They should come to terms with power sharing with the Tamils and devolve power to the Provincial Councils, especially in the North and East. The government should also stop creating unwanted drama.

They must reach a political solution with the Tamil people to settle the whole problem. Right now, they are only irritating the Tamil people by accusing them of reviving the LTTE and being involved in rebellious activities. They keep arresting people on such allegations. Those are wrong measures that may not help to bridge the gap and only aggravate the anger of the people. There needs to be a political solution.

Tamil political parties are willing to come forward for discussions to find a political solution but the government needs to take the initiative. If they are going to act as a rigid hegemonic Buddhist regime, they definitely cannot do anything to bring real peace for the Tamils.

5 years today - Relentless bombing of No Fire Zone, Sri Lanka rejects LTTE ceasefire, British Tamil enters 20th day of fast

Photograph - War Without Witness-

26 April 2014

26 April 2009 - Relentless bombing of No Fire Zone, Sri Lanka rejects LTTE ceasefire announcement, British Tamil enters 20th day of fastOver 200 civilians were injured and several died after the Sri Lankan air force indiscriminately bombed the No Fire Zone 39 times, reported TamilNet.

Sources in the No Fire Zone also reported an increasing number of military personnel  around the borders of the No Fire Zone, spreading fears of an imminent aerial and ground assault into the No Fire Zone. 

In a statement that acknowledged international concerns, the LTTE political division announced a unilateral ceasefire.

See full statement here.

The Sri Lankan government responded immediately, rejecting the idea of a ceasefire as a ‘joke’ reported The Guardian.

Meanwhile a British Tamil activist, entered the 20th day of his hunger strike in Parliament Square, calling for an end to the genocide of Tamils. Protests in Parliament Square continued day after day, calling for international intervention to stop a genocide. 

25 April 2009 - Sri Lankan government denies vital aid to the No Fire ZoneA 1.5 Mega Tonne World Food Programme (WFP) shipment that was scheduled to arrive at the coastal region of the No fire Zone, Mullivaikal, was diverted to Jaffna at by the Sri Lankan government, reported Tamilnet.

The diversion came as earlier reports from the No Fire Zone suggested that 165000 Tamil civilians were about to face a humanitarian disaster.

25 April 2009 - Jayalalitha concludes independent Eelam is only solution

[more]

Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations

5 years today - UN confirms at least 20000 casualties, LTTE calls for international aid, Sri Lanka rejects aid envoy

Colombo VC Suspending Dissent Says Students For Human Rights

April 26, 2014

Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo is using “Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act of 1998″ to silence student dissent against arbitrary administrative action, says the Students for Human Rights.

Vice Chancellor Kumara Hirimburegama

Issuing a statement on the recent student suspension the Students for Human Rights said today; “This also brings into open, the real repressive quality of the laws and regulations governing the universities. Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act of 1998, was enacted to eliminate ragging within universities not to silence students dissent. There had been no reports of ragging at the protest, in fact even the parents of the first year students were present during the protest action. However, the content of the Act, which is claimed to have been enacted to protect new students from ragging, is used by the authorities to force a different form of ragging on the new students. Under Section 3 of the said act, intimidation of students, with the intention of causing fear in the victim or compelling the victim to do any act which the victim is not legally required to do, or to omit to do any act which the victim is entitled to do, is defined as an act punishable under the Act, which means such an qualifies as an act of ragging. Looking at the incidents unfolding in the University of Colombo it is none other than the VC who appears to be the biggest bully of them of all since he is using suspensions as tools of intimidation to create a fear within the student community to stand up against the hostel cuts and the dispossession of rights that they are entitled to.”

We publish below the statement in full;

20 students from Faculties of Arts,Law and Education of University of Colombo have been suspended by the Vice Chancellor Kumara Hirimburegama citing violations of the Conduct Code of the University and anti-ragging laws. These suspensions are the fresh additions to a series of suspensions issued by university administrations to silence student dissent against arbitrary administrative action.                               Read More

Sri Lanka- South African Mediation

| by Col R Hariharan

[This is the text of answers to a set of questions raised by the Editor, Political & Defence Journal, a diplomatic journal through e-mail.]

( April 26, 2014, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) 1. What are your views on the South African initiative to mediate between Sri Lankan government and the Tamil minority? South African President Jacob Zuma has appointed Mr Cyril Ramaphosa as its envoy on Sri Lanka and he is due in Sri Lanka next month to take stock of the situation.

Sri Lanka- South African Mediation by nelvely

Jaffna Uni Students' Union condemns military search of student residence

26 April 2014

The University of Jaffna’s Student Union condemned the military's search operation within student residences, demanding an immediate end to all military activities, which the student body said were causing disruptions to the University's academic life. 

“That the security forces – who have been repressing all our rights to freedom of expression under the excuse of terrorism – are entering and searching without any apparent reason has created fear among the students,” the student body said in a statement issued Friday. 

Military intelligence officers conducted a search operation at the men's hostel at the University of Jaffna on Thursday. A large number of armed soldiers were deployed in the area following the incident, leaving students and locals alarmed, local sources told theUthayan. 

Describing it as a breach of security that has created a tense atmosphere around the campus, the student body criticised the university administration for remaining mute on the subject. 

Their silence has caused students to question the administration's ability and commitment to protecting its students, the Union said. 

The Union stated that despite the government’s claims of peace, terrorism laws continued to be used to terrorise the Tamil population.

கசினோவுக்கு எதிராக வாக்களிப்பதற்கு முஸ்லிம் காங்கிரஸுக்கு முதுகெலும்பில்லை - சுமந்திரன்

Submitted by ceditor on Fri, 04/25/2014

கசினோ சூதாட்ட சட்டத்தின் மூலம் மீதான வாக்கெடுப்பின் போது சபையில் பிரசன்னமாகி அதனை எதிர்த்து வாக்களிப்பதற்கு ஸ்ரீலங்கா முஸ்லிம் காங்கிரஸுக்கு முதுகெலும்பு இல்லாது போய் விட்டது என்று தமிழ் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் எம்.ஏ. சுமந்திரன் இன்று பாராளுமன்றத்தில் தெரிவித்தார். 

 

பாராளுமன்றத்தின் இன்று வெள்ளிக்கிழமை அமர்வின் போது இடம்பெற்ற செயல் நுனுக்க அபிவிருத்தி கருத்திட்டத்தின் கீழான கட்டளை மீதான விவாதத்தில் கலந்து கொண்டு உரையாற்றுகையிலேயே அவர் மேற்கண்டவாறு தெரிவித்தார். 

 

சுமந்திரன் எம்.பி இங்கு மேலும் கூறுகையில், 

 

அரசாங்கத்தினால் சமர்ப்பிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள மேற்படி கட்டளையான கசினோ சூதாட்டத்தை கொண்டதான நிகழ்ச்சி நிரல் இல்லை என்று இங்கு அமைச்சர்களால் கூறப்படுகின்றது. 

 

அத்துடன் இவ்விடயம் தொடர்பில் எதிர்க்கட்சிகள் பல்வேறு கதைகளைக் கூறி மக்களை திசை திருப்புவதாகவும் அமைச்சர்கள் கூறுகின்றனர். 

 

எனினும் மாநாயக்க தேரர்களே இவ்விடயத்தை வாபஸ் பெற்றுக்கொள்ளுமாறு கடிதம் மூலம் கோரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளனர். 

 

இதனை திருத்தியமைக்குமாறு கேட்டுக் கொண்டுள்ளனர். ஆகவே தான் மனச்சாட்சி உள்ள ஆளும் கட்சி உறுப்பினர் சூதாட்டத்தைக் கொண்ட பிரேரணை மீதான வாக்கெடுப்பில் கலந்து கொள்ளவில்லை. அத்துடன் நின்று விடாது ஆளும் கட்சியின் பங்காளியான அத்துரலியே ரத்ன தேரர் எதிர்த்து வாக்களித்தார். 

 

இந்நாட்டில் கடைப்பிடிக்கப்படுகின்ற நான்கு மதங்களுமே சூதாட்டத்தை வெறுக்கின்றன.

 

சூதாட்டத்தின் மூலம் மனைவியை இழந்தமை, சொத்துக்களை இழந்தமை, சகோதரங்களுக்கிடையே கொலைகள் இடம்பெற்றமை என்பவற்றை வரலாறுகள் கூறுகின்றன.

Casino Dhammika buys Vijayakala & Buddhika

Saturday, 26 April 2014

UNP MPs Buddhika Pathirana of Matara and Vijayakala Maheswaran of Jaffna had both avoided the vote on the draft bill on notorious casino businessman, chairman of ‘Sinhala Buddhist’ Sampath Bank and transport ministry secretary Dhammika Perera’s proposed casino hotels project at D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha.

Taking the decisiveness of the strategic development project act into consideration, the UNP had decided that all party MPs should attend sittings on April 24 and 25 and also vote against it. Chief opposition whip John Amaratunga had informed all MPs about it in writing and orally.

By the afternoon of April 24, MPs Vijayakala and Buddhika had been in parliament, but went missing at the vote.

Commenting on this, a senior leader of the UNP told us it was the late MP Maheswaran, the husband of MP Vijayakala, who had been Dhammika Perera’s partner in a cargo transportation network from Colombo to Jaffna by sea. Also, MP Vijayakala now runs a luxury bus service between Colombo and Jaffna and as the transport ministry secretary, Dhammika Perera provides all the support to her. Therefore, she cannot vote against him.

MP Buddhika, who maintains close connections with casino businessmen through his father-in-law, president’s counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, gets monthly paid by Dhammika Perera and cannot vote against him, the senior UNP leader told us further.

Masterminds behind massive Indo – Lanka joint kidney racket exposed : Arrest Dr. Monik and Dr. Paadeniya immediately !
By an LeN special correspondent -Translated by Jeff
(Lanka-e-News-26.April.2014, 1.45PM) It has come to light that Dr. Monik , is the mastermind behind the sinister illegal human kidney business that is being carried on between India and Sri Lanka with the participation of several government service doctors including the local GMOA (Government medical officers association ) President Dr. Paadeniya from behind the scenes, according to information reaching Lanka e news inside information division.

Masterminds Behind Massive Indo – Lanka Joint Kidney Racket Exposed Arrest Dr. Monik and Dr. Paadeniya Imme... by nelvely

Nil Balakaya & president’s son avoid casino act!

 Saturday, 26 April 2014

At the vote on the draft bill, named the strategic development project for the construction of three casino hotels, MP Namal Rajapaksa and member MPs of his Nil Balakaya has refrained from voting and avoided parliament.

Since there would be two votes taken with regard to this act, the chief government whip had ordered that all ruling MPs should be present there in the House and that they should vote in support. However, this action by MPs of Nil Balakaya had created a serious disturbance, both within and outside parliament.

MP Namal Rajapaksa and his cronies Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, Manusha Nanayakkara, Uditha Lokubandara, Lohan Ratwatte, Roshan Ranasinghe, Kanaka Herath, V.K. Indika, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Chamika Buddhadasa, Neranjan Wickremasinghe, Eric Prasanna Weerawardena, Shehan Semasinghe, Tharanath Basnayake, Wasantha Senanayake, Vidura Wickramanayake were all absent at the vote on April 24.

A senior minister of the government said to us that the president had told his son, MP Namal, to refrain from voting as he has been much shaken by the public statement by Malwatte Maha Nayake Thera regarding a toppling of the government and the pressure exerted by Mahanayake Theras and other religious leaders in the past few days.

After watching the statement by the Malwatte Mahanayake Thera through the internet, the president has shouted out in a rage, “I had offered X class Benz cars to these impostor monks. Sent them on free foreign trips. Gave money at every request. They are doing this to me after I did all these,” according to our Temple Trees sources.

In this scenario, the president had acted to wash his hands off the strategic development project.

When the act was first presented to parliament, as the finance minister, the president had got together with the investment promotion minister, but this time around, the full responsibility was shouldered by investment promotion minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

Commenting on this, the senior minister of the government told us that the president is acting with the sole objective of making MP Namal Rajapaksa the president. Every time controversial decisions are taken, president Mahinda Rajapaksa distances his son from all of them. The best recent example is that the president had advised his son to refrain from voting at the vote on the impeachment against 43rd chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

Offensive To Our National Ego

Deported: Naomi Michelle Coleman and her tattoo

 


| by Ven. Walpola Piyananda
 ( April 26, 2014, California, Sri Lanka Guardian) I was greatly distressed when I heard about Naomi Coleman, a tourist from the UK, being deported because of the Buddha image tattooed on her shoulder. As everyone knows by now, Naomi was shamefully detained in prison in Negombo for one night and then spent another two nights at a detention center before being thrown out of Sri Lanka, a pattern that seems to be repeating itself. In an attempt to apologize and make amends the Sri Lankan Tourism Authority sent her off with a business-class ticket back home and gifted her with a future holiday on our beautiful island. This is, however, no consolation for the horrible way she was treated. Meanwhile, our international image and reputation have been damaged yet again, and we are now branded as intolerant, lacking in compassion, and narrow-minded – characteristics that can be added to the long list of negatives the international media has already tacked onto our profile.

If wearing Buddha images on the body is offensive to our hyper-sensitive Sri Lankan Buddhist society, what should we do about the monks from Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries that have ritual Buddha tattoos on their torsos? Should we deport them, too? In many countries faithful Buddhists wear Buddha images on amulets around their necks; should we ban those people from entering our country as well? Every year I give hundreds of children – both in Sri Lanka and in America – small images of the Buddha that they can wear to remind them of their Precepts, and help them remember to be compassionate and understanding in their daily lives. Should these children be tossed out of Sunday Dhamma School? In the West we Sangha members wear the yellow robes, unfamiliar attire to many in this society. How are we perceived here? How would we feel if we were persecuted for the way we dress as monks? Should we be deported from America and other countries just because we look different? Is dressing as a monk disrespectful to society?

Naomi Coleman was herself a faithful Buddhist, one who had already been on meditation retreats in Thailand, India, Cambodia, and Nepal. To her, the tattooed image of the Buddha on her shoulder was a mark of respect; she meant no offense to anyone. On the contrary: she only wished to honor her master teacher with an outward symbol of her beliefs. For our immigration officials and judicial system to perceive her mark of faith as offensive and defamatory, we do nothing but demonstrate our lack of skillfulness and compassion in recognizing other cultures’ perceptions and outward representations. Just because we in Sri Lanka don’t like tattoos of the Buddha on the human body, it doesn’t mean that we have the right to demonize individuals from other countries that wear them. In fact, our judgmental attitude totally goes against the fundamental teachings of the Buddha – especially in regards to defining kamma as “motivated action”; and Naomi’s motivation was certainly not to be disrespectful. I read that the magistrate didn’t even allow Naomi Coleman to speak in her defense; she was simply sentenced and shipped out. She was quoted as saying that there was no forgiveness or compassion in Sri Lanka, and her friend said that she would definitely not come back – not even with her free trip.

I have been speaking to our Ministers and other Government officials for years about properly utilizing the media to improve our national image. Unfortunately, my pleadings continue to fall on deaf ears. The only things published in other countries about Sri Lanka these days are articles that condemn us for our perceived wrong-doings. You can be quite certain that unskillful actions like the deportation of Naomi Coleman will do nothing but add fuel to the fires kept burning by the UN Human Rights Commission and others who have agendas to do us harm. I urge the Government to wise up and act skillfully so we can improve our image overseas, encourage tourism, and put the teachings of the Buddha into practice.

To Naomi Coleman, on behalf of all Buddhist Sangha members everywhere, may you have the Blessings of the Triple Gem. Thank you so much for wearing the image of the Buddha on your shoulder; by doing so you are promoting Buddhism to those who might see you, and present the opportunity to discover the Buddha’s teachings for themselves

Sajith Premadasa back-stabs benefactor

 Saturday, 26 April 2014 

It is a well known secret in the political circles that UNP MP Sajith Premadasa receives Rs. 02 million every month from casino businessman Ravi Wijeratne for his political activities.

However, in the face of opposition to Ravi Wijeratne’s casino business by the Buddhist clergy, Sajith Premadasa had tried to portray his Sinhala Buddhist image by participating, with a poster in hand against Ravi Wijeratne and James Packer, in the UNP-organized protest on April 24. This is being discussed in the political circles as one of the best jokes.

Ravi Wijeratne, and his brother Lal Wijeratne, had run a bus service named ‘Gray Line’ during the period Ranasinghe Premadasa was the president with his patronage, and now in a show of gratitude, is giving a monthly sum to Sajith Premadasa for his political activities. In politics, Sajith Premadasa is considered a double-crosser. This particular incident confirms the truth of that.

UPFA’s gamble

Editorial-April 25, 2014

The government has secured the passage of controversial orders under controversial Strategic Development Projects Act. Foreign business tycoons including James Packer must be grinning from ear to ear. The Opposition succeeded in having the so-called casino orders shelved when they were presented to Parliament previously. Their vehement protests yielded the desired results. Its failure this week to amend or defeat the same orders craftily presented again with some cosmetic changes came as no surprise. The government is desperate for money and, therefore, won’t scruple to woo even robber barons.

However, unlike on previous occasions, the government is not in a position to celebrate its success. It had asked all its MPs to be present in Parliament on Thursday and Friday. One or two them could not make it due to unavoidable circumstances. But, the decision of some UPFA heavyweights critical of the ‘Casino Bill’ to skip the crucial vote was tantamount to a refusal to be railroaded into toeing the government line and to buy into President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s claim that the orders at issue will not be used to set up new casinos. The President timed his declaration for Thursday obviously in a bid to dispel doubts and suspicions his parliamentarians had about the government move. But, not all UPFA MPs were convinced. Worse, JHU MP Ven. Athureliya Rathana Thera and Minister Champika Ranawaka voted against the orders.

The government has failed to convince its parliamentary group that its intention is not to promote gambling but to bring in direct foreign investment. So, how could it expect the Opposition and the general public to believe that it is not trying to facilitate the setting up of foreign casinos on the pretext of investment promotion?

The Opposition, too, had asked all its MPs to be present in the House and vote against the ‘casino orders’, but some of them kept away on both days. Two explanations are possible as regards their absence; they do not subscribe to the Opposition Leader’s contention that the orders are bad for the country or they, swayed by those who will benefit from the government move, absented themselves so that the ayes would have it without a fight. If they had been really opposed to the orders, all of them should have been present in Parliament to vote against them en masse.

The government succeeded in mustering the support of all its MPs to secure the passage of its draconian Expropriation Bill, which was rushed through Parliament in record time. It also had its controversial 18th Amendment as well as the impeachment of Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake ratified with a two-thirds majority. When the removal of the CJ was put to vote only a few government MPs abstained, having informed the President of their decision in advance. But, this time around, it has reason to worry. It looks as if there were signs of some UPFA parliamentarians including several prominent ministers asserting their independence.

The government has got two warnings in quick succession—one from the people at the recently concluded PC polls which it won with a disconcertingly reduced majority of votes and seats and the second one from its parliamentary group on Thursday and Friday.

After the next Uva PC polls, the government will have to go for a national election and it won’t be able to play electoral T-20 any longer. Unless it heeds those warnings it will be riding for a fall.

The Rajapaksa administration is lucky that it has got an Opposition which continues to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and keeps debilitating itself.

Govt. lost as per G.L.’s theory!

 Saturday, 26 April 2014 

Reviewing the final outcome in Geneva, external affairs minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has remarked that it was a victory for Sri Lanka, and going by his calculations, the governing party had lost by majority vote the votes on the gazettes extraordinary one, two and three under the strategic development projects act.

That is so, going by the MPs who had voted against the gazettes and the MPs who had boycotted the two votes.

There were 113 votes in support of the gazette presented on April 24, and 42 voted against. Together with the MPs who had boycotted the vote, that 42 votes add up to 154 votes. Accordingly, excepting the speaker, 42 MPs voted against and 112 boycotted, and that add up to 154 votes against the government.

Furthermore, the second and third gazettes were passed even without a simple majority, which is 113 votes or more.

For the second gazette, 112 voted in favour and 44 voted against, while there were 109 ‘yes’ votes and 44 ‘no’ votes for the third gazette. There, the government lost three more votes.

The UNP, JVP and the TNA voted against, while government affiliates SLMC and minister Wimal Weerawansa abstained.

JHU’s minister Champika Ranawaka and Athuraliye Rathana Thera voted against. Accordingly, at yesterday’s (25) vote, the number of MPs who had voted against and who had abstained, according to Prof. G.L.’s Geneva theory, makes it that the government has lost even the simple majority in parliament.

Oops…. Our Donkey President Backs Rape Marriage Laws

 

Dear Readers;

 

Please notice that there is no relation between the title, photograph/ graph and content of this valuable news item as we all are afraid of the tyrant.

Thank you! 

( April 26, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Commenting on the recent fracas involving five UNP MPs in Hambanthota, President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing media heads yesterday at Temple Trees said that when the Speaker was repeatedly set upon and pelted with stones over the good work he did with regard to Deduru Oya, the press reported the incident in a different way.

He also said that the press reported the attack on Minister Jeevan Kumaratunge as if Kumaratunge was at fault whereas the reportage on the recent Hambanthota incident despite the provocations by the UNP MPs, has been from a totally different perspective.

The President said that politicians from Colvin R de Silva to others such as himself have been attacked before, but added that culture of offensive politics must end and that the police will do the needful in the case of the Hambanthota incident.

No one can take the law in to their own hands he said both with reference to vigilante groups such as BBS, and party politicians allegedly going on the warpath in Hambanthota.

However, these politicians provoked the crowds by saying the Hambanthota harbour would be made a swimming pool and making similar uncalled for statements. A special police unit would be established to swoop in and take necessary action if complaints about ‘vigilante’ action by various groups are correct, said the President.

In recent times such vigilante action has allegedly been directed in some instances at those involved in religious activity. With regard to the encroachment of the Wilpattu Nature Reserve as alleged by the Bodu Bala Sena, the President said that it has to be first established if indeed there is an encroachment of the Park. Minister Rishard Bathiudeen has alleged that in fact there is no such encroachment and that the settlers are now in a buffer zone.

On the Strategic Development Projects Act the President said categorically that no casinos are to be established in the hotel complex that is to come up in D R Wijewardene Mawatha. He said the UNP protests are ill informed and are in the main due to a lack of issues they can deal with.

On other issues and questions raised the President commented:

— If under aged girls are statutorily raped and the sexual act was however with consent, it may be good to have legislation that allows the perpetrator to marry the ‘victim’ with her consent. He said that this is because this kind of case generally concerns couples in a common law marriage, and that British or other legal systems we import law from, does not necessarily cover these situations.

— With regard to the death penalty he said that the Government is in a dilemma and that cultural imperatives and the cause of crime prevention are at cross purposes on this issue. Cabinet will however have to decide whether the death penalty will be implemented in this country he said.

— On the issue of so called UNHRC probes into alleged human rights violations, he said that the Disappearances Commission is now in session and that its results will determine the course of how these issues will be addressed. However he faulted foreign missions for not providing the requisite information on missing persons when necessary.

— On the issue of funding of foreign NGOs the President instructed Minister G L Peiris to look into the issue of formulating laws with regard to the proper auditing and accountability for such funding and proper monitoring of the entire process so that these organizations do not act in a manner that is inimical to the State.