Missing persons must not be forgotten

27-08-2014 News Release No. 14/145

Geneva (ICRC) – In the run-up to the International Day of the Disappeared, 30 August, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is calling on the international community to show greater awareness of the tragedy of people who have gone missing and the plight of their families.

Click the image for an interactive map showing how the ICRC is helping families find out what has happened to missing relatives

Hundreds of thousands of people in all parts of the world have disappeared as a consequence of armed conflict, natural disaster or migration. Each person who vanishes leaves behind a large number of people – the family in particular – suffering the anguish of not knowing what happened.

"When people disappear, there are two kinds of victims: the individuals who have gone missing and their families, torn between despair and hope, living with uncertainty and pain, waiting for news, sometimes for decades," explained Marianne Pecassou, who heads the activities carried out by the ICRC for missing persons and their families. Although what the families need more than anything is to find out what happened to their relatives, they also need an appropriate way to honour the memory of their missing loved ones. "They struggle against forgetting. Commemorative ceremonies offer them public acknowledgement of their suffering, give them a voice and bring them out of isolation," said Ms Pecassou.

In some places, the numbers of people who have disappeared are staggering. In Colombia, for example, over 68,000 people are still missing, out of more than 90,000 initially reported as such. In Sri Lanka, the fate and whereabouts of more than 16,000 people remain unknown. In Peru, between 13,000 and 16,000 people have vanished and their families are still waiting for news. And more than 11,000 people of a total of almost 35,000 reported to the ICRC who went missing in connection with the Balkan conflicts are still unaccounted for.

"States have an obligation under international humanitarian law to take all feasible measures to clarify the fate and whereabouts of people who have gone missing and to inform their families accordingly," said Christine Beerli, vice-president of the ICRC, at a commemorative event at ICRC headquarters attended by government representatives and members of the humanitarian and diplomatic communities of Geneva.

The plight of people who have disappeared – and the suffering of their families, all too often ignored – has been a constant concern of the ICRC. The organization is currently attempting to establish the fate and whereabouts of more than 52,000 people. "This figure is just the tip of the iceberg, since these cases are only the ones brought to the attention of the ICRC by relatives. We know that many more people remain unaccounted for around the world," said Ms Pecassou. Besides working directly with the families of missing persons, the ICRC plays an important role in bringing the issue of the missing onto the public agenda. It urges the authorities to take action aimed at responding to the needs of the families and encourages the search for their missing loved ones.

To mark the International Day of the Disappeared, the ICRC is unveiling a new publication entitled Living with Absence: Helping the Families of the Missing, which highlights the ordeal of people unaccounted for, underlines the multiple needs of the families and describes the tailored responses the ICRC is providing. The content is enriched by personal narratives of relatives of missing persons.

For further information, please contact:
Céline Buvelot Corthésy, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 30 84 or +41 79 574 28 89

We will be making news footage from Colombia, Nepal and Uganda available to the media via the Video Newsroom and Eurovision from 06.00 GMT on 29 August. 

For further information on what the ICRC is doing to trace missing persons and help families get back in touch, visit the Family Links website.

Rajapaksa Family Stands To Receive In Commission Anywhere Between US$1.2 To US$ 1.8 Billion During 2005-15

2:14

R.100 million for Rajapaksa sons’ duty free racing cars

This father’s love knows no bounds……

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Israel And Sri Lanka Leading In War Crimes 

And Crimes Against Humanity

By Eelaventhan Manickavasakar -August 29, 2014

Eelaventhan Manickavasakar

There need not be any shred of doubt to compare Benjamin Netanyahu Prime Minister of Israel and President Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka as their hands are bloodied with the blood of their victims, innocent women, children, infants, young and old alike.

Their total disregard, disrespect and defiance of all international norms of conduct, humanism and United Nations conventions, human rights, laws relating to war is shocking and disgraceful to the World community at large.

Israel is a state created in 1948 by the UN for the Jews who were made refugees during the second World War. Palestinians who were also inhabiting the present Israel were displaced but allowed to function as a State in the partitioned lands adjacent to Israel. The Palestinians and the Arab countries rejected this UN Plan and vowed to liberate Palestine form Israel and also refused to recognize Israel as an Independent State. Since then Arabs and Palestinians waged wars against Israel and lost while Israel annexed the West Bank and Gaza territories, even the Sinai peninsula belonging to Egypt during the 1967 war. However, various peace talks and conferences between the parties in conflict under UN and US mediation led to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from West Bank, Sinai and Gaza while controlling the security and allowing the Palestinians to administer the territories

However Palestinians have not jet got an independent Sovereign State. Israel is also still not recognized by some Arab States. Elections in Gaza strip in 2007 brought Hamas an extreme militant group to administer the Gaza territory which has a population of 1.7 million. Hamas still believes in violent struggle against Israel and does not accept Israel as a State. It’s goal is to liberate the whole occupied lands from Israel’s control and even the present Israeli territory. Hamas is not an ally of P.L.O or the Fatah movement founded by Yasser Arafat. Hamas does not get along well with the P.L.O leadership ruling in West Bank under Abbas, though efforts are being made to form a unified front between Hamas and P.L.O’s Abbas. Hamas is considered as terrorist organization believing in violence to achieve their goal of an Independent Palestinian State. As such International Community has almost isolated it and does not extend political or economical support and assistance to their administration in Gaza Strip. Israel is maintaining a Naval blockade virtually cutting off all supplies, exports or imports helped by Egypt which has also closed its borders with Gaza to prevent arms smuggling and infiltration by Hamas militants.                                         Read More

UK country guidance on ‘Tamil separatism’ highlights human rights violations by Sri Lanka 28 August 2014 The UK Home Office issued a new asylum country guidance report on ‘Tamil Separatism’ on Thursday, drawing on several reports detailing human rights violations by Sri Lanka against Tamil separatists and people that are perceived to be. The report provides “guidance to Home Office decision makers on handling [asylum] claims made by nationals/residents of - as well as country of origin information (COI) about – Sri Lanka”. In its summary, the Home Office says that “being of Tamil ethnicity would not in itself warrant international protection”, even if the person proves “past membership or connection to the LTTE”. However someone “perceived to be a threat to the State”, by having or perceived to be having a “significant role in relation to post-conflict Tamil separatism within the diaspora and/or a renewal of hostilities within Sri Lanka” are considered at risk and asylum will normally be appropriate. The summary further held that participating in Diaspora activities such as attending protests “in itself is not considered evidence that a person is a committed Tamil activist seeking to promote Tamil separatism”, and that cases should be considered on the available evidence.

CIG Sri Lanka Tamil Separatism v1 0e by Thavam

Meeting Of Sri Lankan Tamil Parliamentarians With Indian Prime Minister

| by N.S.Venkataraman

( August 29, 2014, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lankan parliamentarians from Tamil National Alliance (TNA) met the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi recently and discussed the problems of Sri Lankan Tamils. Later on, it was said that the Tamil National Alliance had reposed its faith in Indian Prime Minister to solve the problems of the ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka.

It is not clear how President Rajapaksa view this visit and discussions with the Indian Prime Minister. Certainly, Mr. Narendra Modi would not have liked . if any Indian rebel groups visit another country and meet the leader of the government in that country and would appeal to him to use his good offices to solve the problems of the rebels in India . Recently, when a few rebels in Kashmir met the Pakistan Ambassador in India to discuss their issue, Government of India took serious objection to this and went to the extent of cancelling the peace talks with Pakistan.

By remaining silent, President Rajapaksa has shown good understanding of the ground realities and perhaps does not want to embarass Prime Minister Narendra Modi by making any adverse observations.

However, this visit of Sri Lankan Tamil Parliamentarians to New Delhi and their discussions with the Indian Prime Minister only highlight the fact that President Rajapaksa is yet to win the confidence of the minority Tamil community living in Sri Lanka. While it certainly may not be possible in the present conditions to win the confidence of the pledged critics amongst the Tamil leadership in Sri Lanka, the common Tamils living in Sri Lanka would react favourably if Sri Lankan government would take convincing steps to find solutions for the problems faced by the Tamil population.

Of course, it would be incorrect to argue that the Sri Lankan government has done nothing to improve the economic and social conditions of the Tamil people. It would be uncharitable if anyone would advance such arguments.

It is said that the Tamil National Alliance want unification of the northern and eastern provinces and full implementation of the 13th amendment to Sri Lanka’s Constitution. Perhaps, President Rajapaksa should try to maintain a channel of communication with the Tamil Parliamentarians and create a cordial climate for discussions with them, so that such visit to Indian Prime Minister would become unnecessary.

The demand that the military presence should be withdrawn from the Tamil areas would not be acceptable to Sri Lankan government and this is understandable, particularly due to the fact that the militant Tamil rebels and whatever that remain of LTTE have not given up the objectives and methods of fighting with the Sri Lankan government even in violent way. Withdrawal of the military presence at this juncture would only create unsafe conditions for the peace loving citizens living in the Tamil area and pave way for creating conflict zones.

The best strategy to create the climate of confidence is for the Sri Lankan government to take steps urgently and in an appropriate manner to promote industrial and economic growth and social progress of the minority Tamil population. Creation of skill acquisition opportunities for the local Tamils and generation of avenues of employment for the people living at various economic levels would go a long way in reducing tensions and creating harmony. People need jobs and income which would enable them to settle down and focus on progressive and healthy life style.

Even in India, the Indian Prime Minister has repeatedly emphasised that ensuring economic and industrial development and promoting employment opportunities is the best strategy to solve the multitude of problem faced by India in one stroke over a period of time. The same logic and approach would be well suited for Sri Lanka also.

It is good to hear that the Indian government is providing support to the Sri Lankan government in building roads and promoting industrial estates in the areas of erstwhile conflict and war zone.

President Rajapaksa should l focus on ushering economic growth in the eastern and northern province in all possible ways that would ensure an atmosphere of growth and peace. Certainly , President Rajapaksa should attend to the complaints that historical and cultural symbols of Tamils have not been adequately protected. He should not only solve such problems but should also appear to be solving them.

A State Belongs To The People Who Live In It: Telangana Is The Latest Example

By Veluppillai Thangavelu -August 29, 2014

Veluppillai Thangavelu

“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.”  - Jawaharlal Nehru, “Tryst With Destiny” speech celebrating Indian independence.

August 15, 1947 midnight India won its freedom from colonial rule ending nearly 350 years of British presence in India.  But, freedom was not without pains. It also saw the saw the birth of the new Islamic Republic of Pakistan.  When the British left, they partitioned India, creating the separate countries of India and Pakistan to accommodate religious differences between Pakistan, which has a majority Muslim population, and India which is primarily Hindu. While the Indian National Congress called for British to Quit India, in 1943 the Muslim League passed a resolution demanding the British Divide and Quit. Before British, Mughals ruled India for over 300 years.

It is still a debatable point whether the partition of these countries was a wise move by the British. The partition has not stopped conflict between India and Pakistan.  Boundary issues, left unresolved by the British, have caused three wars and continuing strife between India and Pakistan. Sixty years on, the status of Kashmir remains unresolved despite a tenuous peace process between India and Pakistan. The bad blood between the two countries  is largely due to the ideological divide between the Muslims and the Hindus of India.  Incidentally  Pakistan  became world’s first Islamic Republic in 1956.

British India, which included most of present-day India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, consisted of fifteen provinces, all British possessions, ruled directly by the British in all respects, either through a Governor or a Chief Commissioner and officials appointed by the Viceroy. Existing alongside British India were 565 princely states, ruled by local hereditary rulers, who acknowledged British suzerainty but who enjoyed local autonomy. It may be recalled the  British Crown assumed control of British India from the East India Company in 1857 and thereafter controlled the internal governance through a Secretary of State for India in London and a Viceroy in India.Read More

Press Barred Again From Covering Gotabaya’s Cross Examination In Court

August 29, 2014

Reinforcing that the font of all true power in the Rajapaksa regime lies with the powerful Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa police sealed off the Mount Lavinia District court to media personnel a short while ago when the senior official was due to take the stand for cross examination.

Gotabaya – Secretary MOD

Secretary Rajapaksa filed a defamation suit against The Sunday Leader newspaper which exposed details regarding the controversial purchase of MiG 29 by the ministry of defence in 2007.

DIG Anura Senanayake who was present outside the court house prevented journalists from entering to cover the court proceedings, which are a matter of public record and refused to permit photojournalists and cameramen from filming the Defence Secretary’s entrance to the court house. Even reporters who offered to leave their cameras and other recording equipment outside were not permitted entry.

Similar scenes unfolded on May 28 this year when Gotabaya Rajapaksa entered the court to be questioned in the defamation case. In today’s proceedings the Defence Secretary is scheduled to be cross examined by the lawyer for the Sunday Leader, Attorney at Law M.A. Sumanthiran.

This is the only case in which accredited journalists and court reporters are being barred entry to cover public court proceedings.

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 Gotabaya 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 Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s reign in Sri Lanka’s mainstream press.

Medamulana MR refuses to undergo surgery and returns: Prior to his illness has revealed his self sought disaster

(Lanka-e-News- 28.Aug.2014, 11.30PM) Medamulana Percy Mahendra Rajapakse who flew to America most secretly to obtain medical treatment for his blood in urine disease (hematuria) has refused the conventional medical treatment , and is returning to Sri Lanka (SL) tomorrow(29) after being treated via injections.

Rajapakse’s internal hemorrhage has stopped for the moment. Though the doctors have advised him to undergo surgery meaning that he will have to take bed rest for three months following the operation , Rajapakse had not agreed to any surgical intervention because his obsession at the moment is with the Uva provincial council , and Presidential elections. 

With the presidential elections in view and targeting that , he is over anxious to monitor the Uva elections himself and win it by fair or foul means - an overriding evil trait in him. Therefore ignoring everything else , and being over desirous to inaugurate ceremonially the Uva elections violence and party campaign he has undertaken ,he is arriving tomorrow, come what may .

Rajapakse had put his foot down therefore and refused to be treated except with injections. Subsequently , to please him he was subjected to a 24 hour strict follow up medical monitoring after the injections were administered. After the post injection extra care medical monitoring result seemed okay , Rajapakse has got discharged.

No matter what, the medical opinion is : a patient who was once suffering from cancer taking this internal hemorrhage lightly is foolish. 

Percy Mahendra Rajapakse concealing his diseased condition from his supporters has only militated against him. Rajapakse who even for a minor illness creates a circus scenario of going to temples ,has on this occasion by suppressing his ill health had deprived himself of the blessings that may have been invoked by his supporters via poojas (religious observances) had they been informed . The only one who performed a bodhi pooja for him was his wife , the first lady.

It is learnt that Percy Mahendra R prior to his illness , has blurted out the disaster he had driven himself into. At the luncheon of the ceremony commemorating the Nuwara eliya Golf sports society 125 th anniversary in which he last participated before he was struck by the illness, held at the High Forest estate of the son of a prominent businessman , late Aloysius mudalali, he had for the second time spoken with deep regret about his self sought political disaster , ‘this time I will not get the Tamil and Muslim votes’ he had pinpointed.

The new deputy Minister Digambaran and Central province chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake were present when he made these remarks. However , Minister Thondaman who was also to grace the occasion had not turned up. 

The non arrival of Thondaman also added to the woes of Percy Mahendra Rajapakse who was thoroughly distraught.

Reprisals The Human Cost Of Cooperating With The UN

( August 28, 2014, Geneva, Sri Lanka Guardian) In a new video produced by ISHR and True Heroes Films, we share with you the stories of reprisals against individuals and organisations who have bravely engaged at the UN.

From smear campaigns, harassment and criminalisation, to physical attacks and killings – the experiences of these courageous men and women are sadly just a few examples of a widespread issue.

More information on reprisals can be found at here

A subtitled version of this film can be viewed at here

About the Author

Posted by Sri Lanka Guardian on 15:41. Filed under story, SunandaDeshapriya . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Feel free to leave a response

Dr. Dewasiri walks out of senate meeting after  argument with VC

by Dasun Edirisinghe-August 28, 2014

An argument between the Colombo University History Department Head Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri and Vice Chancellor Dr. Kumara Hirimburegama on Wednesday resulted in the former walking out from a Senate meeting.

The meeting was held at the University on Wednesday evening.

Dr. Dewasiri inquired about a request he had made six months back for two lecturers to teach history but there was no positive response from the Vice Chancellor.

Dr. Dewasiri staged a day-long sit-in opposite the office of Vice Chancellor in protest against a shortage of lecturers in his department a few weeks ago.

He even threatened a hunger strike, but subsequently he agreed to suspend his  protest following an assurance given by the Arts Faculty Dean and other department heads to intervene solve the problem.

According to the Dr. Dewasiri his department had only five permanent lecturers and two of them were on leave at present. There was a pressing need to recruit two temporary lecturers as a stopgap measure, but the university administration has ignored his request.

Finally, VC Dr. Hirimburegama promised to refer Dr. Dewasiri’s request to the University Senate and find a solution.

SRI LANKA: Enforced Disappearances and Extrajudicial Killings

ALRC-CWS-27-02-2014
August 29, 2014
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Twenty seventh session, Agenda Item 4, Interactive Dialogue with Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances

A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre

SRI LANKA: Enforced Disappearances and Extrajudicial Killings

1.       Although, technically speaking, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings are two distinct categories of gross violations of human rights, these two categories often overlap in Sri Lanka. Often, what get classified as enforced disappearances are kidnappings followed by interrogation, which often involve the use of torture and ill-treatment, followed by executions done in secret and, finally, the secret disposal of bodies. Despite several commissions looking into involuntary disappearances having made extensive observations and recommendations on the nature of enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka and ways to avoid the same, successive governments have failed to implement these recommendations. The following are observations and recommendations from ALRC to the Council on the issue of enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka.

2.     Successive governments have refused to make Sri Lanka a signatory to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances. This refusal to become a party to the convention has arisen from the premise that forbidding enforced disappearances is an undue restriction on the police, military, and other law enforcement agencies. The government's approval for resorting to enforced disappearances under certain circumstances is implied in the government's refusal to become a party to this convention. This position is contrary to the government's obligations under international law and under the normal obligations of legitimate governance. As long as the government of Sri Lanka refuses to become a signatory to this Convention, it is justifiable to accuse it of being complicit in allowing enforced disappearances.

3.     Sri Lanka's justice system has not developed an effective mechanism for investigating and prosecuting enforced disappearances. Due to the failure to develop an effective law enforcement mechanism, capable and willing to investigate enforced disappearances and prosecute perpetrators, the government can be justifiably accused of overtly and covertly pursuing a policy of allowing enforced disappearances.

4.     In Sri Lanka, there prevails a climate of fear, wherein relatives of victims of enforced disappearances are intimidated away from making complaints and pursuing justice in relation to enforced disappearances. So long as such a situation of fear and intimidation prevails, the government of Sri Lanka can be accused of encouraging the practice of enforced disappearances.

5.     Ever since the resolution entitled "Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka" was passed at the Human Rights Council, there has been heavy propaganda. This propaganda has painted anyone wishing to give evidence before the committee assigned by the council to investigate into human rights abuses under the said resolution, or wishing to assist victims and relatives, as being unpatriotic and, therefore, deserving of reprisals from the government and its supporters.

6.     There have been mob attacks, some led by Buddhist monks, on several meetings organized by civil society groups, to express solidarity with the families of disappeared persons. The government, in its failure to enforce the law against such attackers, has encouraged a policy of intimidation against the families of the disappeared, as well as civil society organisations that are merely carrying out their obligations to extend support to families of victims of gross violations of human rights.

7.     Fear of abductions, which may be followed by enforced disappearances, prevails in all parts of the country, in particular, in the North and the East. It has virtually become an invitation for serious reprisals, to be witness to a crime allegedly committed by the police, military, or other government agency. The government's propaganda machinery, through the media, has been mobilized to carry out a campaign against persons who wish to give evidence as witnesses to enforced disappearances and other human rights abuses. Allowing such propaganda to take place through its media channels gives rise to a justifiable accusation that the government is involved in the suppression of persons who wish to become witnesses against crime, particularly in incidents of gross violations of human rights.

8.     The fear of reprisals prevalent in the country is an obstacle to any attempt at accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. By allowing such a state of fear and intimidation, the government can be justifiably accused of openly acting against every initiative towards accountability and reconciliation.

9.     Besides enforced disappearances, there have also been other forms of extrajudicial killings. One such form is through torture at the police stations. The case of Sandun Malinga, a 17-year-old boy who was tortured and later killed at Kandaketiya Police Station, is one such extrajudicial killing through torture. Another form of extrajudicial killings is shootings by police officers, who have recently been issued with guns through an order of the Ministry of Defence. Two such killings are that of 24-year-old Subash Indika and 19-year-old S.M. Kelum Subasinghe. Further, there have been several killings of suspects in police custody by officers under the pretext of self-defence. As a general rule, no serious inquiries into allegations of such extrajudicial killings have resulted.

10.   The Asian Legal Resource Centre respectfully submits that one of the major causes of enforced disappearances, as well as extrajudicial killings, is the virtual collapse of the public justice system within Sri Lanka, due to politicization of the police, prosecutorial branch, and the judiciary, which, in turn, is a result of the authoritarian form of government that has developed due to the 1978 Constitution and reinforced by the 18th Constitutional Amendment. We further submit that until this constitutional framework favouring authoritarianism is dismantled, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings will likely continue with impunity.

# # # 

About the ALRC: The Asian Legal Resource Centre is an independent regional non-governmental organisation holding general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. It is the sister organisation of the Asian Human Rights Commission. The Hong Kong-based group seeks to strengthen and encourage positive action on legal and human rights issues at the local and national levels throughout Asia.

“Cut Yourself From Shackles Of Rajapaksa” Sarath Silva Tells SC Judges

August 30, 2014

Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva has remarked that he will make a personal appearance before the Supreme Court to request its judges to cut themselves off from the shackles of President Rajapaksa.

Silva

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Silva has stated that he will be personally appearing before the SC to present his submission against the President’s right to contest for a third term where he would initially inform the Court that it is ‘not a creature of President Rajapaksa’.

“We have to tell the judges please cut yourself off from the shackles of President Rajapaksa. If you give a ruling in that perspective, President Rajapaksa is out. If you believe that President Rajapaksa is going to be there then only will a problem arise. We have to create a situation where we can challenge him,” he has stated.

Silva who in a recent interview with the Sunday Lankadeepa voiced his controversial views on the legal inhibitions that President Rajapaksa would face if he decides to contest for a third term despite the hasty implementation of the 18th amendment, had described 18A in the interview with DM as a ‘dishonest amendment’.

He has gone on to state that it was an amendment made solely to entrench President Rajapaksa in power and resulted in a violation of the balancing of authority where pre-18A, the President was not eligible to independently appoint SC judges, the Chief Justice, Court of Appeal judges, Attorney General, Auditor General, Inspector General of Police, the Secretary General of Parliament as well as appointments of the Election Commission, Public Service Commissions, Judicial Service Commission and Finance Commission etc.

He has blamed 18A for the present plight in the country while pointing out the only party it has served well is President Rajapaksa.

Meanwhile, the former Chief Justice has stated that ‘timed elections’ are also a downside in the present presidential system of government that the masses need to be aware of. He has pointed out that from the former President J. R. Jayawardene who amended the Constitution in 1982 by the third amendment, four years since his election and timed elections, all the other presidents have been manipulating the clause and have succeeded in achieving the desired results.

“That is why all these Presidents cannot be defeated when they are in office. . . An important thing that our people must do is that they must prevent the use of excessive power whereby politicians can time elections and manipulate election results. By timing elections the people of this country have been deprived of their democratic rights,” he had stated further.

Without giving security to Upul, Anura gives protection to gangster!

 Friday, 29 August 2014 

Presenting various arguments at the Colombo chief magistrate’s court that Bar Association president Upul Jayasuriya does not need security, senior DIG in charge of Colombo Anura Senanayake has provided protection to a notorious gangster.

It is for Gihan, who lives at 13/1, Mohandiram Avenue, Colombo 12 Anura Senanayake has provided protection. He was arrested by the special investigation division at Mirihana and remanded in connection with a vehicle fraud. However, the police protection given to the relevant address has not yet been removed. Six uniformed policemen are presently on duty at the address in question.

Anura Senanayake has given protection to this Gihan because he is one of the collectors of extortion and loansharking money of the DIG. Lawyer Gunaratne Wanninayake has said this in open court when the case filed by Upul Jayasuriya was taken up recently, but Anura Senanayake has rejected the allegation. Gunaratne Wanninayake has challenged the DIG and requested that the Colombo Fort headquarters inspector be summoned to give evidence. Anyhow, Senanayake has been able to evade that challenge.

Behind Uva escalating elections violence is none other than the President –Glaring evidence
(Lanka-e-News- 28.Aug.2014, 11.55PM) During the last two days since the Uva elections campaign began , the elections violence had risen meteorically as confirmed by the elections monitoring report released today- it has increased by 76 more cases of violence! All of these incidents of violence involve shooting, threatening using firearms, attacks, arson and destruction of property which are all first degree crimes.

Behind all these criminal violence are the Presidential security division (PSD) and the special task force (STF).Lanka e news makes this revelation taking full responsibility . Based on reports substantiated by evidence reaching Lanka e news inside information division , they are as follows :

185 soldiers in civil attire of the PSD armed with weapons including para, gas bombs , mini ooshi, , T 56 and AK 47 , as well as 65 STF soldiers of the Gonahena STF camp, in 19 jeeps have been dispatched to Moneragala and Badulla.

To provide unlimited fuel to these vehicles ,the fuel supply books of the police department had also been sent along. Moreover , 6 garage mechanics have gone with them to attend to vehicle repairs , if any.

These contingents are being deployed at Moneragala, Badulla, Siyambalanduwa, Athimale, Buttala ,Ella and Wellawaya .

9 high rung STF officers have been included in this contingent , and a further 3 ASPs of the STF are to be dispatched.

Sarathchandra the present coordinator of the defense Ministry intelligence espionage service and ex DIG of the STF is put in charge of the Moneragala district , and he is entrusted with the tasks of facilitating the operations of violence of these groups and giving illegal directives to police stations.

Chandra Fernando an ex IGP and currently a Presidential advisor has been appointed to be in full charge of enthroning lawlessness and dethroning the rule of law in the entire Uva region. Ex DIG K.P.P. Pathirane is to serve as his assistant. With these arrangements in place , President Medamulana MaRa had made a beeline home disregarding his blood in urine ill health condition to see to it that even through bloodshed and illegal operations he wins at the Uva elections. 

Based on the aforementioned facts and evidence , it is abundantly clear what the opposition parties have to face in Uva are not peaceful elections but a bloody war. Believe it or not , the violence is so horrendous and widespread with Medamulana Percy Rajapakse ‘s parties taking advantage of the climate of impunity they enjoy ,that even a deputy elections commissioner was attacked at the very beginning of the elections campaigns while the elections officers too were threatened and intimidated.