Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Army conducts workshop for Kilinochchi schoolchildren

26 May 2014
The Sri Lankan Army held a workshop for schoolchildren in Kilinochchi on Saturday, to “enlighten students” on telecommunication, according to their website.

Troops from the 9 Sri Lanka Signal Corps organised the event, which was attended by senior military commanders, including Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, Commander of the Sri Lankan Security Forces in Kilinochchi.

Schoolchildren stand as the Major General enters the venue...

... and takes his seat alongside other senior military figures at the front of the hall.

In December, The Education Minister and Agriculture Minister of the Northern Provincial Council, Kurukularaja and Iyngaranesan, condemned the Sri Lankan military involvement in civil affairs, especially the affairs of schoolchildren in the North. They stated,

"There is no reason whatsoever for the Sri Lankan army to enter schools in the North. If they wish to help they should via the Education Department. Instead, most of the military go directly into the schools and offer help. Not only does this affect the natural state, but it affects the mental state of the students when the army enter the schools."

Also see our earlier posts:

Not soldiers but ‘militarised civilians’ says Army (13 April 2014)

Army welcomes Tamil children to new pre-school (09 August 2013)

Only in Sri Lanka (28 October 2012)

Papal visit to ‘bless’ genocidal Sri Lanka next year

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 27 May 2014, 14:36 GMT]
While the new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting Rajapaksa to his swearing-in on Monday has enraged Tamils, Pope Francis on the same day has announced to media about his visit to Sri Lanka, the very State of which is accused of genocide, on-going genocide, and has been rejected by Eezham Tamils since 1972. The Papal visit would give recognition to the genocidal State, blunting the calls for genocide investigation, and for that matter any international investigation at all against the State and the Rajapaksa regime, Tamil activists for alternative politics in the island commented.

The Pope’s announcement has been received with delight, reported Asian Catholic News Source, UCA News, with a cliché, “Sri Lanka’s ‘great joy’ at news of papal visit.”

Acid test for Eezham Tamil Bishops, TN Archbishop should intervene

Papal Visit to ‘Bless’ Genocidal Sri Lanka Next Year by nelvely

Sexual Violence against Tamils by Sri Lankan Security Forces

FEBRUARY 26, 2013

The 140-page report provides detailed accounts of 75 cases of alleged rape and sexual abuse that occurred from 2006-2012 in both official and secret detention centers throughout Sri Lanka. In the cases documented by Human Rights Watch, men and women reported being raped on multiple days, often by several people, with the army, police, and pro-government paramilitary groups frequently participating.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

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ISBN: 1-56432-993-3

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"We Will Teach You a Lesson"

Srilanka0213webwcover_0-“We Will Teach You a Lesson” by nelvely

Escalating The Sri Lankan Issue

| by Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

( May 28, 2014, Melbourne, Sri Lanka Guardian) Many refer to the LTTE as terrorists. It is a verdict delivered by a Government that subsequently included members of the LTTE as part of itself. Terrorism is in the eyes of the beholder. I am also listed as a criminal in the public ledgers of the Australian State of New South Wales whose Premier resigned from his position as a result of a Corruption inquiry. Such outcomes confirm to believers in a system - the workings of Natural Justice within that system. In terms of the Sri Lankan Government, the Terrorism label is for operational as well as political reasons. To the extent they are for operational reasons – they are positive even if we disagree. They helped escalate the issue to global level. The political component does not have that power because in governance politicians are the mothers of a government. Once mothers become visible – beyond their immediate physical circle – they lose their binding power.

Hence for those of us who are not part of a Government such name calling needs to be based on our own Truth and/or needs of our official positions, if we are to benefit from the opportunities arising from True experience of those before us. Those who blindly follow the labels given by their seniors in high positions – but without faith in those persons – would acquire the forces that contributed to such declarations. When such verdicts cause death – the risk of infection of negative forces is high for those who lack faith. Those who believe are insiders. Others need ‘evidence’ of wrong doing before finding fault.

Yesterday, I received an invitation to participate in a Q&A session being organized by the Consortium of Tamil Associations NSW. The Guest Panelists include the Hon Philip Ruddock, who is the most interactive Australian politician known to me. The subject matter centers around the UNHRC Resolution & Australia’s relationship with the Sri Lankan Government. I seek to attend because I know how it feels to be labeled a criminal by an authority that lacks credibility. The work to organize this confirms that to the Australian Government which did not cosponsor the UNHRC Resolution – the LTTE are not terrorists. This in turn would help Tamils preserve with confidence their contributions to develop and maintain their distinct identity including through the lives of LTTE members who believed that they were fighting to protect that independent identity. No human power is greater than belief.

Using LTTE leader - Karuna – to defeat the LTTE confirms low level of ethics in war used by the Sri Lankan Government. This is enough to confirm weaknesses to ‘insiders’. Such ‘conversion’ is the parallel of plagiarism in academic work and is as wrong as religious conversions through temptations of material benefits. . Given that the LTTE is an unofficial formation – as far as the official system goes – the title of ‘former’ applies only when LTTE itself is ‘former’. So long as LTTE is current – so is Karuna and all other LTTE leaders. Whether this is acknowledged by the official system or not – the Energies work that way. Mothers cannot become fathers and v.v. merely through outer physical changes. A man could be a mother due to this invisible Energy / Shakthi.

Once our work – be it positive or negative – gets to Energy level – we don’t need to consciously direct it. It works automatically. This I believe is why Hindus call the mother / wife Shakthi/Energy. A mother is the invisible force that binds or separates a family. Every person who experiences more pain than pleasure – is a mother of the outcome. That is the law of Nature.

Be it the Sinhala side or the Tamil side in relation to Sri Lanka, the Energy of the group is accumulated through contributions by individuals. The identity is maintained and strengthened through fathers who work to ‘show’ status. The deeper the bonding through Mother Energy - the higher the level to which the status of the whole issue rises – as happened in the case of LTTE. Once we develop the value of our contribution to Energy level – we share that with all groups we feel a part of. That is global value. LTTE and the Lankan Government are mere temporary media for most of us towards developing this Energy – for Bonding or for Separation. Low level investors would tend to ‘possess’ the respective groups and this naturally keeps the issue at the lower level. When such is falsely elevated – as in getting certificates without having earned them – the binding Natural Energy is buried by artificial methods - to eventually become an insignificant part of the world when the leftover is surfaced.

Where the binding Energy is consolidated in the consciousness of the whole – the issue earns high status that would be sustained beyond one generation and/or beyond local environments.

War, Peace and the Manufacturing of Rajapaksa Myths

Photo courtesy the Daily Beast

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

- on 05/28/2014

“Twenty-five years ago, I said there would be a hero-king from Ruhuna…now he’s the one we believe, President Mahinda Rajapaksa.”

Sumandasa Abeygunawardane, Astrologer; Executive Director, National Savings Bank; Director, Employees Trust Fund; Advisor, Independent Television Network[i]

Lankans in general are distressingly indifferent to the plight of the country’s most majestic mammal, the elephant. But an unaccustomed wave of public outrage ensued when a plan to send two elephant-calves to a private zoo in South Korea leaked out. One of the claves marked for exportation was five year old ‘Dinuda’. And Dinuda, it was claimed and believed, was born on the day the Tigers were defeated. Thus the name, Dinu-da: ‘Victory Day’.

War, Peace and the Manufacturing of Rajapaksa Myths by nelvely

Hiru bribed its way into 1st place – Rupavahini DG

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Hiru TV has gained first place according to LMRB rankings for Sri Lanka’s electronic media even before it marks its first anniversary by giving money and women as bribes, director general of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chandrapala Liyanage is saying publicly.

The LMRB ranks SLRC, a 32-year-old institution, in the 7th place.

This ranking has put the government into severe inconvenience. It has become clearly evident after information and media ministry secretary Dr. Charitha Herath’s call in a special press release a few days ago for the state’s regulation of various rankings.

SLRC’s setback is due unavoidably to the inabilities of its DG and the political tug-of-war in its administration, but instead of admitting it, the DG is making himself a joker by slinging mud at other channels, according to media experts.

Although there is no acceptable evidence to prove that Hiru TV has given bribes, it is no secret that the channel has achieved first place due to its commitment and its novel programmes.

Media Not Allowed To Cover Sumanthiran Cross-Examining Gotabaya

May 28, 2014

Sri Lanka Tuesday prevented media from covering the court proceedings when the President’s brother, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Gotabaya Rajapakasa was cross-examined by Lawyer MA Sumanthiran.

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Gotabaya Rajapakasa

Yesterday, the defamation case filed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa against Lasantha Wickrematunge and the Sunday Leader on its reporting on MiG 27 purchase by the Defence Ministry was taken up at the District Court of Mt. Lavinia before Judge Gihan Ranawaka. Earlier Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave evidence-in-chief on the 22nd of May. The Cross Examination was started on the 27th May by Lawyer MA Sumanthiren. In a strange twist the Police debarred media personnel from entering the Courts to cover the proceedings.

On earlier occasions it was evident that an entire media entourage was encouraged and prosecution Counsel Ali Sabri PC was seen and quite openly giving TV and Press interviews to the media within the court premises and these were widely broadcast. Some journalists frustrated by these unlawful orders were curious to know whether the District Judge was aware what was going on within the courthouse.

The controversial MiG 27 deal was first revealed by Sunday Times Defence Correspondent and Senior Journalist Iqbal Athas in December 2006 and further exposed in The Sunday Leader then edited by murdered Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa filed legal action against The Sunday Leader newspaper to prevent further exposure of the corrupt deal. The investigative reports on the MiG deal proved to be one of the last reports on controversial defence purchases under Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s reign in Sri Lanka’s mainstream press.

In a recent article published in the Colombo Telegraph, Dr. Thrishantha Nanayakkara claimed that the Ministry of Defence calls on academics to sit on Technical Evaluation Committees for defence purchases, gives them less than 24 hours to review documentation and then finally blames academics when things begin to go wrong.

In his article, Dr. Nanayakkara notes that it was very unfortunate that the Ministry of Defence itself took to exposing the names of professionals and the recommendations of those TECs when things went wrong. “It seemed to us that the professionals who were kept in the darkness whole throughout the TEC process were just used as a cleansing shield in the event things go wrong. I am not alone in this concern. One can check with any academic in the University system in Sri Lanka on this,” he explains.

Responding to the fraud said to have taken place when purchasing MIG 27 fighters for Sri Lanka Air Force, the Ministry of Defence exposed the names of the Technical Evaluation Committee.

Cartoon: Reconciliation Process

by Wasantha Siriwardena
- on 05/28/2014

- Click here for larger version.

Modi’s Day-1 in office

Hariharan’s Intelligence blog

Col R Hariharan-May 28, 2014

[This is a summary of author’s comments made on May 27 to English and Tamil newspapers and magazines as well as on TV news channels.]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had faced more flak and investigations than any other aspirant stepping into the shoes of a prime minister, has shown on Day-1 that he is a man of his own mind. His spectacular election victory owed it to his planning, execution and management of his election strategy.

Modi’s Day-1 in Office by nelvely

“Modi-Fied” India’s Promise To The Subcontinent

By Vishwamithra1984 -May 28, 2014 |

“You believe today’s paradigm are not going to change…. Ask the caveman then if his paradigms changed or not. Think for yourself you lose. Think for coming generations you win.” ~Sameh Elsayed

The Indian National Elections that concluded on May 16, 2014 was, in more sense than one, a landmark victory for democracy. The largest democracy in the world, both in terms of number of voters and complexity of the process, India held its National Elections over five weeks, from April 7 to May 12, 2014 but the count was concluded in just a few hours, of course via electronic devices. A new government and a new Prime Minister were declared winners, much to the joy of the supporters of the winning party, Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) and its allies and the distress of the Indian National Congress (INC) and the extended Nehru/Gandhi family. As in 1977, the Mother/Son combination of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, suffered an unprecedented loss, although both of them managed to retain their respective constituencies unlike in 1977 when Indira Gandhi lost her Lok Sabha seat to a total outsider. But it was more so at the hands of the Indian voter than at the whims and fancies of their opponents led by Narendra Modi and his loyal supporters.

When the dust settles, who would man (or woman) Narendra Modi’s Cabinet of Ministers, especially the key portfolios of Finance and External Affairs, would be answered and the world at large and the Indian Subcontinent in particular could make way for new adjustments, if such adjustments are warranted and I am sure it would be, in the first place. The BJP, whose roots are traced to Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) which came into being as far back as 1951, was established in 1980 and widely regarded as the political wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The founder of the BJS was Syama Prasad Mukerjee who is considered the godfather of Hindu nationalism in India. The deep nationalist tinge that the BJP has been painted with is no accident nor was it a conspiracy of Mukerjee’s opponents, nationalist or political. Despite the fact that Mukerjee was a hundred percent product of Bengal, the all-encompassing philosophy of Ravindranath Tagore, another world-accepted Bengali intellectual and spiritual leader from the seat of learning of India, Kolkata, did not seem to have had any secular influence on him and his philosophy of Hindu nationalism. Read More

Expedite national reconciliation process early, Modi requests MR

... readily agrees to visit Sri Lanka

BY S VENKAT NARAYAN -May 27, 2014
Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, May 27: India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi today requested Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to expedite the process of national reconciliation fully and quickly.

During his bilateral meeting with Rajapaksa, Modi requested his government to expedite the process of national reconciliation "in a manner that meets the aspirations of the Tamil community for a life of equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka," Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh told reporters here.

"Early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment and going beyond would contribute to this process," Modi pointed out.

The two leaders also discussed the fishermen’s issue, India’s development assistance programme and economic and commercial cooperation.

In particular, Modi expressed interest in the early launch of the 500 MW Sampur Coal Power project and greater connectivity between the two countries.

Both leaders reiterated their desire to further strengthen bilateral relations.

Rajapaksa extended an invitation to Modi to visit Sri Lanka.

The prime minister readily agreed to visit the island nation at a mutually convenient date in course of time.

The following is the text of a statement issued by the Presidential media unit in Colombo: "The two leaders had an in-depth discussion of issues of mutual concern.

President Rajapaksa described the initiatives Sri Lanka had taken with regard to rehabilitation, resettlement, reconstruction and the ongoing reconciliation process in the country. President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Modi also discussed the issue of fishermen of both countries and measures that could be taken to find a permanent solution through a process in which the views of fishermen from both countries can be taken into consideration. Both agreed that talks between the fishermen and the meeting of the joint committee officials must continue.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to President Rajapaksa for participating in his inauguration ceremony, stating that the presence of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) leaders augured well for the future of SAARC cooperation and solidarity. The Prime Minister was of the view that SAARC must focus on common issues that could benefit the region and reflect our concerns on a global platform.

President Rajapaksa, welcoming the views expressed by Prime Minister Modi, stated that India’s leadership was crucial for the success of SAARC ventures and Sri Lanka looked forward to working with India in taking forward SAARC programmes.

The President arrived in New Delhi on Monday (May 26), upon the invitation of PM Modi, on a two-day visit to attend the latter’s swearing-in ceremony.

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Livestock and Rural Community Development Arumugam Thondaman, Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Mayor of the Jaffna Municipal Council Mrs. Yogeswaray Patgunarajah, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in New Delhi Prasad Kariyawasam were present at the meeting.

Can the Establishment win over Modi?

Wednesday 28th May 2014

Deception and intrigue have been traditional instruments of foreign policy in the Kautilya tradition which have been used by our rulers in the past. It was successfully used to oust the Portuguese. It was also used against the Dutch to dampen their enthusiasm for conquest. It was used less successfully against the British who after their early experiences with the Sinhala Establishment did not trust anybody.

Can the Establishment Win Over Modi by nelvely

Whether it's the UNP or the SLFP that wins the next election is not important, more important is Country or one Family? -Karu Jayasuriya

(Lanka-e-News- 28.May.2014, 5.00PM) It is patently clear that the Government coalition led by the United National Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is embroiled in a crisis. The crisis has reached such a zenith, one can hardly feel, sense or detect any authentic legacy left behind by its central leader- the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). The UPFA coalition is led by some who consider the Bandaranaikes, the ones who pioneered the SLFP, as their enemies and one simply cannot disregard as trivial the pressure that is being brought upon the Coalition by some genuine SLFPers. Instead of paying sensitive attention to those who clamor for authentic SLFP policies and principles, those who hold high office in this administration are engaged in a vain attempt to destroy the unity among the opposition parties which are making an attempt at a genuine united front. It reminds one of a person entrenched in muck and excreta pointing to the lack of a hairdo of a well-dressed man.

Hiding behind the facade of 'development', the governing circles are indulging in an orgy of corruption, waste and nepotism. All sectors that directly impact on the day-to-day life of the average Sri Lankan such as transport, health, education, law and order, peaceful existence and general economic conditions are crumbling under the Mahinda Rajapaksa rule. Mass protests are taking place on a daily basis in almost every sector of the economy. It is even more emphasized as the Government is confronted with a serious credibility quandary in the international arena. In other words, all signals are indicative of a certain crumbling of the monolith of 'Rajapaksism'. As enunciated by some political pundits, the country is on the threshold of bidding adieu to an uncivilized era and greeting the arrival of a civilized time.

It is beyond question that the unfortunate situation the country is faced with is solely attributable to the arbitrary manner in which the current Government leadership is navigating affairs of the State. They are behaving as if the whole of Sri Lanka is their personal property. It is no great surprise that, after arriving at the pinnacle of power on the shoulders of many whose sacrifice and hard work was immense and indispensable at the beginning but who are now treated as some ordinary men and women and utterly expendable and a source of a great headache. They are so intoxicated with power that even some of their erstwhile close friends are now seen as lifelong enemies.

Although through their own State-run media outlets they boast about many an achievement but what they are really not doing is good governance. A great majority of the country has now realized that the Government is presently involved only in propagating half-truths and outright lies. Even the support of the majority of their own Cabinet is not forthcoming, it seems. It is rather difficult to imagine that the majority of the people would support the Government when it has failed to secure a majority in their own Cabinet.

It is quite apparent that at the root of these unfavorable conditions is the Executive Presidential system. It certainly is a problem of systems rather than one of personalities. When such political savants like Lalith Athulathmudali and Gamini Dissanayake spoke against the Presidential system of government twenty three years ago, after having worked day in and day out to create that very same system, they would not have even dreamt of a person such as Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Therefore, it is a necessity of our times to get rid of this cancerous system of government. 'Abolish the Executive Presidency' slogan has already been established in the country. Even some partners in the governing coalition have come to the same conclusion. It is the duty and responsibility of a prudent leader to listen to that voice. Instead of allowing the leadership to get further entrenched in power, demanding the abolition of the Executive Presidency is the duty of each and every citizen in the country.

Whether it's the UNP or the SLFP that wins the next election is not important. But we all agree that the winner should be our motherland. We in the United National Party are ready and determined to drive away this cancerous system of government. We indeed are ready to abolish a system that nurtures and looks after only one family, one person and one clan. In the next election, the issue before the voter is simple and stark. What is more important, Country or one Family?

Leftists seek talks on abolishing Executive Presidency

By Niranjala Ariyawansa-May 28, 2014

The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), Sri Lanka Communist Party (SLCP), the New Left Front (NLF) and other Left constituent parties of the government have jointly sent a letter based on a number of proposals to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary, Maithripala Sirisena, requesting that discussions be held aimed at abolishing the Executive Presidency.

Leader of the LSSP, Professor Tissa Vitarana said, the letter was sent three days ago with a copy to the President. Senior Minister Prof. Vitarana said, they were expecting to hold urgent discussions with the SLFP in connection to a number of issues that have cropped up given the path taken by the Alliance Government and its political stance.
Prof. Vitarana speaking to Ceylon Today said, "We are only a constituent party of the Alliance Government. We have our own political programmes and ideologies .We can join with the Alliance with regard to certain activities but there are also instances where we cannot agree with the government.

When it becomes clear that the Alliance is moving on the wrong track, we seek to make the government act in a way that would please the people. We hope we can bring the government back on track with the proposed discussions."
The criticisms made by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) and the National Freedom Front (NFF) pertaining to the actions of the government are to direct the government towards the right path, he added.

The LSSP is also anticipating to hold discussions with the JHU and the NFF in future with regard to the current political situation and their proposals, Professor Tissa Vitharane said.

UNP will abolish Govt.-IMF pact to scrap free eduation – Ranil

May 27, 2014, 9:41 pm

UNP Education professionals met with UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo yesterday to discuss the crisis in the education sector.
Pic by Kamal Bogoda

by Zacki Jabbar-May 27, 2014

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation was currently in Sri Lanka to monitor the government’s agreement with it to abolish free education but a future UNP administration would abrogate all such treaties with global organizations, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

He told a group of retired educationists who had met him in Colombo to express concerns about the Rajapaksa regime’s policy of gradually reducing the education budget with a view to doing away with it altogether.

It was the UNP which had introduced free education and it would do all in its power to ensure that the masses were not denied the benefit of it.

"I am a product of Sri Lanka’s free education system and know the value of it. Obviously, the Rajapaksa’s cannot comprehend it and that is why an IMF delegation is currently in Sri Lanka to monitor the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that it had entered into to gradually reduce the state’s financial allocation for education. But a future UNP government will abrogate all such treaties, Wickremesinghe said, adding that at the UNP’s last party convention it was resolved that a minimum of six percent of GDP would be allocated for education under a future UNP government.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that UNP governments had not reduced the education budget even during the height of the war. "I remember a former Defence Minister proposing that finances for education be curtailed, but the then President J. R.Jayewardene shot down the proposal."

Admitting that the UNP had its differences with the former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, the UNP National Leader noted that even she had refused to reduce the financial allocation for education.

When a UNP MP had questioned the Education Minister in Parliament recently on the cuts that were affecting even rural schools, the Minister had simply laughed it off. That showed how lightly the Rajapaksa regime took even a vital issue such as the curtailment of funds for education, the Opposition Leader said.