Get rid of 13th Amendment – Asgiriya Chapter 










By Ruwan Laknath Jayakody- June 6, 2014

The government should do away with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, without succumbing to the pressures exerted by India, the Asgiriya Chapter said yesterday.

Committee Member of the Asgiriya Chapter, Medagama Dhammananda Thera, calling the 13th Amendment the root cause of the country's... ... international bedlam, said initiatives should be taken to prepare a draft Constitution to be presented to Parliament, whilst simultaneously opening it up for public debate.

"The 13th Amendment has not been able to achieve national unity. It has instead precipitated international pressure, particularly from India, through force applied by South India. It has also given birth to the money guzzling Provincial Council system and caused disharmony among the different ethnic communities. We must, as a country, remain independent. We do not need to do everything that India says in the manner they suggest as they have their own political agendas."

The Thera also referred to the 13th Amendment as an amendment forced on Sri Lanka by India's former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. He added that police and land powers should not be given to the Northern and Eastern Provinces, while the powers of the Executive Presidency and the Cabinet should be reduced.

"Because we are stuck with the 13th Amendment, it is hindering our forward momentum," he claimed.
The Thera also blamed the UNP for not only representing international viewpoints, but also for shirking their responsibilities by not taking part in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), hiding behind the excuse of the TNA's boycott of the same.

Political Murders, The Commissions And The Unfinished Task

By Rajan Hoole -June 6, 2014 

Rajan Hoole

“ Now let us calmly define our position, Watson. Let us get a firm grip of the very little which we do know, so that when fresh facts arise we may be ready to fit them into their places. I take it, in the first place, that neither of us is prepared to admit diabolical intrusions into the affairs of men…” - Sherlock Holmes, in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot 

Impressions and Flawed Evidence

We argued in the last chapter that irrespective of the conclusions they reached, the commissions of inquiry marshalled a great deal of evidence. For those who think the issues important, there are valuable leads to pursue their own inquiries. Even discovering that the commissioners reached wrong conclusions by following their arguments is valuable in itself. Getting at the truth in any murder is important. It is a strange pathology of Sri Lanka’s polity that the very sections – the UNP and its media allies – who are the most keen to throw a veil over Athulathmudali’s murder were the ones who sang praises to his management of National Security while he was living. A political culture, in which the most fundamental human virtue of loyalty to one’s friends and colleagues is non- existent, can offer only tragedy. What dignity can a country lay claim to when investigations into the assassinations of its leaders regularly get bogged down in obstruction, obfuscation and falsification?

We will in this section explore the assassinations of Vijaya Kumaratunge and Lalith Athulathmudali. In both instances, the findings of the commissions have run into heavy criticism, and both had implicated leading UNP figures and prominent members of the Police Force. We will try as we have advocated, to go beyond the commission proceedings and findings, by making critical use of them. The exercise, we believe, gives us important insights into the Sri Lankan polity.

The task before the commissions was made extremely difficult by the fact that these violations and assassinations took place during a period when the Police were far from being impartial guardians of the Law. Inevitably, the public were quick to associate perceived motive with guilt. Presidential commissions too left much to be desired during the Jayewardene era and the findings of commissions suffered because the judges on them were seen to be under pressure to arrive at certain conclusions.

The period was also one where norms were not observed by security officials and often not with sinister intention but because work was heavy during the JVP insurgency. A commission when questioning a police officer in public, say, for not submitting the proper papers to the Attorney General in connection with certain detainees, can create an impression that is unfair to the officer. One police officer complained, “The JVP made two attempts on my life while I was going home. No one asked me about that. But now the Commission wants to know why certain papers were not in order.”                                                                                           Read More

13A not the final solution – TNA 

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan-  June 6, 2014 


The 13th Amendment to the Constitution is not the final solution to the Tamil problem, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) General Secretary, Mavai Senathirajah, told Ceylon Today.

Responding to the government rejecting devolving police powers to the Provinces, the MP said yesterday, "The Government of Sri Lanka has assured the Indian Government several times that it will implement the 13th Amendment in full and make devolution meaningful.

"The 13th Amendment came up after the Indo-Lanka Accord and its implementation should be decided by them," he said.

"We have handed over a proposal setting out the framework to the government on 18 March 2011 and the 13th Amendment does not fully reflect our stance," he said.
He said, "Ask India what to do about the government's rejection."

The MP continued saying that they have also explained to India that the 13th Amendment is not the final solution to the national issue and "It was then that they stressed that we should work on the 13th Amendment and go beyond."
He added, "Former President, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, had a proposal in 1995. There was an Expert Committee and an All Party Representative Committee and all of them were appointed because the 13th Amendment was not the final solution to the burning Tamil problem.

"Our March 2011 proposal explains our position but the government has not responded to it. The government walked away from negotiations," he added.

The government on Wednesday (4) informed Parliament that the President had informed Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, that devolving police powers to Provincial Councils under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution cannot be implemented.

Govt. to implement 13-A without police powers, rejects TNA demand

by Zacki Jabbar-June 5, 2014, 

The government said yesterday that it did not have an issue with implementing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution with the exception of police powers.

Asked during the weekly Cabinet Press briefing in Colombo if land and other provisions of 13A with the exception of police powers would be implemented, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwalle said that the contentious issue was the Tamil National Alliance demand for a Police Commissioner to be appointed by the Northern Province Chief Minister; that could not be granted due to security reasons.

Asked whether the granting of land powers needed to discussed with the relevant stake holders, he replied "It is police powers as demanded by the TNA that cannot be granted. Traffic police and other powers necessary for administrative purposes could be devolved."

Pointing out that India had amended its Constitution 150 times, Minister Rambukwella noted that the 13A had been relevant at the time it was introduced but not in the post war era.

Sri Lanka, the minister said welcomed the new Indian government under the leadership of Narendra Modi since it would give stability to both countries. "We did have certain differences with New Delhi, but it has always stood for an undivided Sri Lanka despite Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha’s repeated calls for the creation of Eelam."

Sri Lanka tells India devolving powers to provinces not possible

Wednesday, 4 June 2014 

Sri Lanka today said it had made it clear to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that devolving police powers to the provinces, including the Tamil-dominated areas, was not possible saying "it has nothing to do with ethnic considerations". G L Peiris, the external affairs minister, was speaking in parliament today apprising the house on the bilateral talks between India and Sri Lanka held in New Delhi last week when President Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the swearing-in of Modi.

Peiris said the talks between Rajapaksa and Modi had covered a wide range of issues. "Prime Minister Modi's vision for the future of SAARC, expansion of economic and the issue of fishermen were the main topics", Peiris said.

"During our talks on constitutional matters, we explained our position," Peiris said adding that the Indian side was told that the thirteenth amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution has been part of the statutes for over a quarter of a century. Sri Lanka's thirteenth amendment was introduced in 1987 as a result of direct Indian intervention to try and resolve the ethnic impasse in the island.

"There have been five different governments in the country during that period. None of them felt fully able to implement it", Peiris said as having told the Indian side. "We made it crystal clear that devolution of police powers is not acceptable. It has nothing to do with ethnic considerations," Peiris said.

He said Sri Lanka conveyed to the India that attribution of police powers to a province "wheresoever in the country was undesirable for matter of policy". Peiris' statement in parliament was in response to a query raised by the main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on matters discussed with the new Indian government.

Dep. Minister questioned after 5 long days regarding attack on PC and arson

(Lanka-e-News-06.June.2014, 3.30PM) The police has yesterday(05), after an inordinate delay of 5 days recorded a statement of the deputy Minister Hemal Gunasekera in connection with the attack launched on police constable (PC) Suminda Saman while he was on duty at the Kottawa entry point to the southern expressway .

The Mirihana special crime division had recorded his statement . The culprit Minister however has entered into a heated altercation with the police officer and claimed that he had nothing to do with the attack though he argued with Suminda Saman. 

It is significant to note under the present Mahinda Chinthana which has now become a Mahajanaya’s karadara , it is after a five days dillydallying , a statement of a wrongdoing Minister of the regime is recorded. The incident of attacking Saminda , attempted shooting and setting fire to his car took place on the 30 th last month , yet it took five long days for the Sri Lanka police to take action against a criminal Minister even in the instance where its own officer was the victim of the violence and arson at the hands of the Minister. Moreover nobody has been arrested so far.

The worst and disgraceful part ? the police instead of lauding PC Suminda for bravely discharging his duty duly had taken action against him for trying to enforce the law , simply because the culprit is a deputy Minister, in keeping with the characteristic double standards practiced by the police under the current lawless regime . It is learnt investigations were launched by the police to determine whether Suminda had made a bogus complaint and himself set the car on fire. It was however discovered that the insurance policy of the vehicle did not cover fire thereby dispelling police suspicions .

Subsequently , the PC had been taken to the police station to inquire into whether there are links between his statement and the incident. This clearly demonstrates all these actions conform to the ancient eccentric King Kekile’s course of justice , because under the evidence ordinance of SL , it is not the complainant but the suspect who should be taken to the venue of the incident and inquired. That also, only when further evidence is to be sought based on the statement made by the suspect.


Believe it or not , instead , the police who ought to know the legal procedures had taken the complainant instead of the suspect to the scene of the incident which is a grave blunder.

On top of all these blatant attempts to subvert the legal process , Minister Keheliya Rambukwella when addressing a media briefing to reveal Cabinet decisions with reference to this incident made this episode a joke and behaved himself like a clown . His moronic answer in keeping with his deep seated stupidity ,to a question posed by a journalist was : between the two incidents -threats posed by the culprit Minister and the assault launched , there was no nexus ,and even if the PC had been attacked by a serpent , is Hemal Gunasekera responsible ? the idiotic Minister questioned .A journalist who was smarter quipped ‘ being not attacked by a serpent is the issue.’ 

Keheliya the buffoon who is unable to conceal his buffoonery despite a face covering beard could not go any longer with his tomfoolery, finally gave a flimsy excuse , that the attack was launched not two hours after the threats , but after ten days , and therefore much water could have passed under the bridge during that period.

நீதிமன்ற தடை உத்தரவை மீறி ராஜபக்ச வாசஸ்தலத்தினை முற்றுகையிட்டு மாணவர் போராட்டம்! (படங்கள்)

 Wednesday, 07 May 2014

பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்கள் ராஜபக்ச அரசின் நவதாரளவாத கல்விக் கொள்கைக்கு எதிராக பல கோரிக்கைகளை முன்வைத்து தொடர்ச்சியான போராட்டங்களை மிக நீண்ட நாட்களாக முன்னெடுத்துக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றனர். மகிந்த அரசு போராடும் மாணவர்கள் மீத பல அழுத்தங்களை பிரயோகித்து மாணவர் போராட்டங்களை மழுங்கடிக்க தொடர்ந்து முனைந்து கொண்டே இருக்கின்றது. இனந்தெரியாத நபர்களை மாணவர்களின் வீட்டுக்கு அனுப்பி பெற்றோரை மிரட்டுவது முதல் மாணவர்களை பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் இருந்து நீக்கவது பல்கலைக்கழக பிரதேசங்களிற்கு அருகில் வருவதனை தடை செய்வது வரை அனைத்து பாசிச அடக்குமுறைகளையும் தொடந்து கொண்டிருக்கின்றது.

சுகாதார கற்கை நெறிக்கான காலத்தினை குறைத்தமைக்கு எதிராக கடந்த 150 நாட்களாக ரஜரட்டை பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்கள் தொடர்ச்சியாக போராடிக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றனர். இவர்களின் போராட்டத்திற்கு ஆதரவு தெரிவித்து இன்று கொழுப்பில் ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் ஒன்றினை அனைத்து பல்கலக்கழக மாணவர் ஒன்றியம் ஒழுங்கு செய்திருந்தது. பொலிசாரால் இதற்கு அனுமதி மறுக்கப்பட்டது. பின்பு நீதிமன்றத்தால் கோட்டை புகையிரத நிலையத்தின் முன்னால் மட்டுமே நடத்தலாம் என அனுமதி அளிக்கப்பட்டது.

ஆர்ப்பாட்டத்திற்கு ஒன்று கூடிய மாணவர்கள் நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவினை மீறிக் கொண்டு ஊர்வலமாக ராஜபக்ஸாவின் உத்தியோக பூர்வ வாசஸ்த்தலமான அலரி மாளிகையினை முற்றுகையிட்டு ஆர்ப்பாட்டத்தில் ஈடபடடனர். இந்த போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்ட மாணவர் மற்றும்  மாணவிகளை  அச்சுறுத்தும் நோக்கில் மகிந்த அரசின் படையினர் சிவில் உடையில் நின்று போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்ட மாணவர்களை புகைப்படம் மற்றும் ஒளிப்பதிவும் எடுத்தக்கொண்டனர்.

Tangalle has become the latest ‘Chicago’ - Mangala

Thursday, 05 June 2014

UNP leadership council member Mangala Samaraweera says the ‘godfather, god son and god uncle’ are behind the killings taking place now.

Tangalle town has become the latest ‘Chicago’, where those who speak and act against those in power are murdered in broad daylight while the police and the people look on, he told the media today.

The MP noted that the private bus conductor Prabhath Chandana was shot in the head yesterday at the Tangalle bus halt in the high security zone within which the president’s home is located.

The assailants ended his life after demanding to know from him about the whereabouts of one Amila Rajapaksa, who had broken away from Namal Rajapaksa’s Nil Balakaya.

Everyone knows that the attempt on Amila’s life as he had been at court in Tangalle had failed, he said.

MP Samaraweera said that he was claiming with responsibility that the killers were Pallikudawe Ukkuwa, aka Ukkun Malli, who is a close follower of MP Namal Rajapaksa, and Murthi Kodithuwakku, and that the killing had taken place with the knowledge of the OIC and the crimes OIC of Tangalle police.

Although the UN Office on Drugs and Crime says 720 killings are reported a year in Sri Lanka, the actual number exceeds 2,000, he said.

Sri Lanka has been made the kingdom of murders in the world, the use of thuggery has become a qualification to go up higher in the authoritarian regime - for an MP to become a deputy minister and a deputy minister to become a minister, said the UNP MP.

He went onto say that the Hemal Gunasekara whom he had known in the past was not a thug politician he has become now, and he has threatened and abused a policeman and then set fire to his car after he had done his duty at the southern expressway.

This is what he has done to secure a ministerial portfolio to go up higher from the deputy ministerial position he has obtained with much difficulty after being an average MP, the UNP MP added.

Ranil backs JVP, demands probe * Goon attack on Ruhuna students

 

By Saman Indrajith-June 5, 2014,

Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told Parliament that some politicians including parliamentarians had led a mob which attacked undergraduates of the Ruhuna University. He demanded an investigation into the incident.

 "We have seen JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva display some pictures of that incident. Some government politicians were captured in those photographs leading a mob that attacked the students and teachers of the Ruhuna University. I demand to know what action the government will take against those politicians."

Text of the Opposition Leader’s special statement: "A mob blocked the entrance and the exit of the University of Ruhuna and disturbed its functions with the connivance of some politicians of the area. They entered the University on 02.06.2014, and had attacked its students on the pretext of requesting that the Deyata Kirula Exhibition be held in the university premises. Further they did not even allow the evacuation of students injured in the attack. The gang also abused the lecturers entering and leaving the university premises in filth and threatened them. The mob caused damage to their vehicles. As usual, the police took no action. The victims were sent out in buses and four faculties in the Wellamadama premises remain closed indefinitely.

I expect a statement from the Prime Minister on the terror spread throughout the area around Wellamadama Complex of the University of Ruhuna. I also expect him to include the following in that statement: (1) legal action taken against the gang that entered the premises of the University of Ruhuna and attacked the students (2) legal action taken against those who insulted the university lecturers and damaged their vehicles (3) security measures to be taken to ensure early re-opening of the university and the continuation of academic work without fear and uncertainty among students and lecturers (4) steps to be taken to ensure the safety of the students residing in the university and its vicinity and (5) steps to be taken to maintain law and order to ensure that such incidents will not recur.

Leader of the House Irrigation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the government would make a statement on the issue on Friday (06).

BASL condemns police brutality

 Friday, 06 June 2014

The Standing Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka on Rule of Law condemns the attitude adopted by the Police when students of the Ruhuna University were brutally assaulted by a mob led by a Deputy Minister and some members of the Provincial Council.  This is another instant where the Police were mere spectators to the commission of crimes by politicians.  It is a pathetic sight to watch such episodes over and over again.  What these incidents show over and over again is the complete erosion of Rule of Law in our country.  It is now clear that the politicians enjoy absolute immunity in respect of the commission of crimes against persons who do not agree with them.  The dangerous aspect of it is the impunity with which these criminal acts are committed and the fact that the political leadership of our country as well as the law enforcement authorities has failed to at least show its concern regarding this development which makes it obvious that the political leadership is supportive of these acts.  It is seen that the law enforcement authorities has neither the will nor power to do their duty.

These actions by politicians and the attitude of the police has made the provisions on fundamental rights of citizens guaranteed in the constitution meaningless.  This will be our main focus at the 'Public Forums' that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka will be holding throughout the country to enlighten the people on the erosion of Rule of Law and the lack of accountability by the government.

A True Statesman Looks At The Next Generation

By Karu Jayasuriya -June 6, 2014 

Karu Jayasuriya MP

According to Buddhist belief, natural disasters such as famine, floods and untimely rains occur in a country when it is ruled by unjust, wicked, corrupt and dishonest rulers. Isn’t that what is happening in our motherland today? I have no intention whatsoever to gain any political advantage from the disasters that our land is facing today, yet it must be emphasized that the pitiful victims of all these disasters are our innocent people who have been subjected to untold injustice and they remain helpless. If one pays even scant attention to what’s been happening recently in the country, it is patently obvious that the rulers of today have totally forgotten the fact that it was on the shoulders of the people they rode to power.

Instead of being sensitive to the needs of the people and attempting to solve many a problem that the people are confronted with today, the ruling cabal has chosen to ignore the people, their dire desires and problems and wants. But history bears testimony to the undisputed fact that those rulers who disregard the needs of the subject people would not rule for a long time although those rulers might think and plan otherwise. In that context, it looks like the end of the coalition Government led by the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has begun in earnest.

At this very moment of penning these woeful thoughts, we have lost a minimum of 25 lives due to inclement weather conditions that prevailed in the country during the last week or so. 33549 men, women and children belonging to 7592 families have been displaced and become roaming refugees of these disastrous weather conditions. These statistics alone tell us a grim story that is only a part of the plight of our people.

We believe that it is almost impossible to avert disasters caused by natural weather conditions, but failure on the part of our officialdom to make adequate preparations for such disasters is unforgivable.

In the subcontinent, Sri Lanka ranks third among those who are affected by natural disasters. To deal with such disasters, we have established a special Ministry with adequate financial appropriations, yet the question remains whether these Ministries and monies allocated are being put to efficient and sensible use by those who are charged with the responsibility to do so.

Simply stated, it is with utmost sadness that we record that the authorities failed even to issue an elementary warning signal to those who lived in the most vulnerable locations where such disasters occurred. It will be almost impossible to accurately ascertain the true financial value of those lives lost and properties damaged and destroyed. But it is very necessary that a proper assessment is made of these disasters in order to manage such cataclysmic events in the future. One cannot deny the economic impact these disasters would entail and the ominous forecast made by the Asian Development Bank that by 2016 this country stands to lose investments amounting to 4.3 billion if disaster management is not properly executed should be borne in mind by all.Read More

Mahinda chinthana alias Mahinda karadara at work : free dates gifted by Saudi for Ramazan too robbed..!

(Lanka-e-News-06.June.2014, 3.30PM) Here is a most intriguing story from ‘Believe it or not’ of the Rajapakses (not Ripley’s of course !) revealing one of the many monumental frauds practiced on its own people by the Rajapakse regime and its Ministers; 200 metric tons of dates sent as gift by Saudi Arabia government for distribution among the Sri Lankan Muslims during the fasting month of Ramazan which is in the near offing , had been secretly sold in the black market by the MaRa regime ! according to reports reaching Lanka e news.

It is customary for the Saudi government to send free gifts of dates to SL during the Ramazan season annually for distribution among the Muslims on whom Ramazan fast is obligatory. These dates are supplied through the Foreign Ministry of SL, and are clearly indicated on them that they are for free distribution , and not for sale. Incidentally , the Ramazan fast of the Muslims this year is due to begin on 29 th of June.

All these years , these dates received as free gift from Saudi were given over to the SL Muslim mosques for free distribution among the Muslim people. But this year the Deputy Minister Neomal Perera taking advantage of the raging corruption in the country and his own swindling propensities ( a common trait among all MaRa regime politicos) had sold them to the wholesale traders of Pettah, and pocketed the money. 

The Muslim leaders who have no other option had lodged a complaint with the Minister of trade, Johnston Fernando , another crook of the ‘Alibaba and countless thieves team ’ without avail. Of what purpose is any complaint made to a den of rascals and scoundrels taught to rob by their own crooked mentors who have made corruption, and thieving of national wealth and people’s gifts honorable?

Though the Muslims have complained to the Saudi government and awaiting their response , it is the fear of the complainants that the MaRa Ministers (Alibaba and countless thieves ) notorious for manipulations of rackets and distorting the stark truth would succeed in pulling the wool of the Saudis.

It is a pity that the poor people who elected a government to look after their welfare and depended on the promises of the Mahinda chinthana are being robbed of that very welfare in broad daylight by the very regime that has transformed into a den of shameless thieves and exploiters , once again confirming via this dates racket that the erstwhile ‘Mahinda chinthana’ (thoughts of Mahinda) is now a synonym for ‘Mahinda karadara’(trouble creating Mahinda ) 

It is very unfortunate if Sri Lankans who are noted for their gullible nature still think that this ‘Alibaba and his countless thieves’ team will reform , or the present ‘Mahinda karadara’ will disintegrate and make its exit on its own. 

Putin, Ukraine leader break crisis ice at D-Day event

Ukraine's President-elect Petro Proshenko (L) walks past Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) during the commemoration ceremony for the 70th anniversary of D-Day at Sword beach in Ouistreham June 6, 2014.

BY JOHN IRISH AND JEFF MASON

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER France Fri Jun 6, 2014 8

(Reuters) - The leaders of Russia and Ukraine held their first talks on Friday since Moscow annexed Crimea, discussing ways to end their four-month conflict in a brief encounter during commemorations in France of the World War Two D-Day landings.

Putin, Ukraine Leader Break Crisis Ice at D-Day Event by Thavam Ratna

On top of the world at just THIRTEEN: Girl from India's lowest caste becomes youngest female to conquer Everest

• Malavath Poorna, 13, reached the top of Mount Everest on May 25 
• The teen is a member of India's lowest caste, the Dalits or 'untouchables', and her laborer parents earn less than $600 a year 
• She was among a group of disadvantaged students chosen for the expedition
• The student said she wanted her climb to inspire other young people from impoverished backgrounds 

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

PUBLISHED: 14:26 GMT, 31 May 2014 | UPDATED: 18:32 GMT, 31 May 2014

After spending her life at the bottom of the heap, Malavath Poorna has finally come out on top. 

The 13-year-old girl from India's lowest caste has become the youngest female to conquer Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.

Proud parent: Malavath Poorna attended a special ceremony with her father (both pictured)

On Top of the World at Just THIRTEEN Girl From India's Lowest Caste Becomes Youngest Female to Conquer Ever... by Thavam Ratna

Bill Gates could afford to buy every home in Boston. Here are some other cities billionaires could purchase.

As you may have heard, Bill Gates has a lot of money. (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)

• BY MARK BERMAN-June 5 

At a certain point, the wealth of the mega-rich becomes so massive as to surpass imagination. Can a person who is not worth tens of billions of dollars truly grasp the difference between Bill Gates (net worth: $78.1 billion as of Thursday, according to Forbes) and Warren Buffett (net worth: $65.6 billion)? Sure, we intellectually understand the difference, in the same way we understand that Mars is closer to the sun than Neptune; we know, but we know from a distance, because we will never personally approach this gulf.

Here’s another way to look at this staggering accumulation of wealth: If Bill Gates took every dollar of his net worth (most of which comes from Cascade Investment, his investment firm, as well as Microsoft), he could afford to buy every home in Boston — and still be worth more than a billion dollars, according to a new report from the online real estate site Redfin.

For the report, Redfin calculated the combined cost of every single-family home, condo and townhouse in a city by looking at home sales between April 1, 2013, and April 1, 2014. These sales were used as a representative sample of all homes in a city. The combined costs were then lined up next to the net worth of billionaires on this Forbes list. (You can find more about the methodology here.)

So for Seattle, Redfin calculated that 241,450 homes in the city are worth a combined $111.5 billion dollars. Bill Gates could afford each of the 114,212 homes they included in the Boston calculation (total cost: $76.6 billion), but he couldn’t buy every home in Seattle. The Walton family that founded Wal-Mart could afford every home in Seattle, but only if they teamed up. They could also afford every home in a lot of other cities, including Miami, Dallas and Washington.

Using the combined home prices on this list, some billionaires could settle for purchasing a few smaller cities rather than picking up one of the pricier options. Mark Zuckerberg, who reportedly spend more than $30 million last year buying up homes near his Palo Alto house, could take his Facebook money ($28.2 billion) and buy every home in nearby Berkeley ($25.9 billion, according to Redfin). Or he could decide to buy up a few Zucker-bergs (sorry) across the country, purchasing Corvallis, Ore. ($9 billion), Punta Gorda, Fla. ($10.1 billion) and Oak Park, Ill. ($7.6 billion) with $1.5 billion left over.

Redfin also mapped the cities certain billionaires could purchase, offering a glimpse of a possible future wherein Larry Page doesn’t just retire to Boca Raton, Fla., but instead opts to buy the entire city out from under your grandparents:

Did this planet collide with earth to form the moon?

FRIDAY 06 JUNE 2014

Rocks brought back from the moon more than 40 years ago contain evidence of a Mars-sized planet that scientists believe crashed into earth and created the moon.

Above: new evidence indicates that the moon was created when a Mars-sized planet slammed into the earth

German scientists using a new technique said they detected a slight chemical difference between earth rocks and moon rocks.

Scientists said more study would be needed to confirm this elusive piece of evidence that material from another body besides earth contributed to the moon's formation some 4.5 billion years ago.

Scientists believe the moon formed from a cloud of debris launched into space after a Mars-sized body called Theia crashed into young earth. Different planets in the solar system have slightly different chemical make-ups.

Therefore, scientists believed moon rocks might hold tell-tale chemical fingerprints of whatever body smashed into earth. Until now, evidence was elusive.

Above: after Theia collided with the primordial earth, the material ejected began to reform into a body orbiting the earth

Scientists have developed a technique that guarantees perfect separation of oxygen isotopes from other trace gases.

"The differences are small and difficult to detect, but they are there," says Daniel Herwartz, from Germany's University of Cologne, lead author of a paper on the discovery published in this week's issue of the journal Science.

The results indicate that composition of the moon is about 50 per cent Theia and 50 per cent earth, the scientists said, although more work is needed to confirm that estimate.

Apollo missions

The team analysed rocks brought back to earth by Nasa astronauts during the Apollo 11, Apollo 12 and Apollo 16 missions to the moon, which took place in 1969 and 1972.

"This work is the first to claim to see such a difference in the isotopes of oxygen," said Robin Canup, a planetary scientist with the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, who was not involved in the research.

Read more: how close are we to discovering alien life?

"The reported difference between the earth and moon is extremely small - small enough that I think there will be debate as to whether the difference is real or an artifact of how one interprets the data," she added.

Meanwhile, other teams of scientists have been looking at titanium, silicon, chromium, tungsten and other chemical elements, but so far the lunar samples show no detectable differences from earth samples.