இராணுவத்தினர் புகைப்படம் எடுப்பதாக முதல்வர் தெரிவிப்பு

வடமாகாண முதலமைச்சர் விக்னேஸ்வரன்

 5 செப்டம்பர், 2014 

இலங்கையின் வடக்கே யாழ்ப்பாணத்திற்கு இன்று விஜயம் மேற்கொண்டிருந்த இலங்கைக்கான ஜேர்மன் தூதுவரிடம் வடபகுதியின் இன்றைய மக்களுடைய நிலைமைகள், மாகாண சபையின் நிர்வாகத்தில் எதிர்நோக்கப்பட்டுள்ள விடயங்கள் போன்ற பல விடங்களை எடுத்துரைத்த வடமாகாண முதலமைச்சர் விக்னேஸ்வரன் அவர்கள், தான் கலந்து கொள்கின்ற நிகழ்வுகளில் இராணுவத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர்கள் வந்திருந்து தன்னைப் பல கோணங்களில் புகைப்படங்கள் எடுப்பதாகவும் எடுத்துக் கூறியிருக்கின்றார்.

இதுபற்றி பிபிசி தமிழோசையிடம் கருத்து வெளியிட்ட வடமாகாண முதலமைச்சர் இது ஒரு பாரதூரமான விடயம் என்று கூறினார்.

இஸ்ரேலிய உத்தியாகிய இந்த நவீன முறையின் மூலம், ஒருவரைப் பலகோணங்களில் படங்கள் எடுத்து, அவருடைய போக்கு குறித்த தகவல்களை ஆராய்ந்து, அறிய முடியும் என்ற வகையில் தன்னையும் இவர்கள் இவ்வாறு படங்கள் எடுப்பதாகவே தான் கருதுவதாகவும் முதலமைச்சர் விளக்கிக் கூறினார்.

தனக்கு தீங்கு விளைவிக்கும் நோக்கம் இதில் இருப்பாகத் தெரியவில்லை என குறிப்பிட்ட அவர், யுத்தம் முடிவடைந்து ஐந்து வருடங்கள் நிறைவடைந்துள்ள நிலையில் வடபகுதியில் மக்கள் அனைவரையும் இவ்வாறு படங்கள் எடுப்பதன் மூலம், இராணுவம் அவர்களை இயல்பாகவும், சுதந்திரமாகவும் இயங்கவிடாமல் செய்திருக்கின்றது என்றும் குறிப்பிட்டார்.

இதுபற்றி ஜேர்மன் தூதுவரிடம் எடுத்துக் கூறியபோது, அவர் தன்னையும் சிலர் தான் சென்ற இடங்களுக்கெல்லாம் தன்னைப் பின்தொடர்ந்து வந்து படங்கள் எடுத்ததை அவதானித்தாகத் தெரிவித்ததாகவும் முதலமைச்சர் தெரிவித்தார்.

'சட்டப்படி செயற்படுவேன்'

இதேவேளை, இந்தியப் பிரதமர்; நரேந்திர மோடியைச் சந்திப்பதற்கு இந்தியா செல்வதானால், வடமாகாண முதலமைச்சர் அரசாங்கத்திடம் அனுமதி பெற்ற பின்பே செல்லவேண்டும் என்று அரசாங்கத் தரப்பில் கூறப்படுவது பற்றி கேட்டபோது, சட்டத்தில் என்ன நடைமுறைகள் இருக்கின்றனவோ அதனைப் பின்பற்றியே தாங்கள் செயற்பட்டு வருவதாகவும், தொடர்ந்தும் அவ்வாறே செயற்படவுள்ளதாகவும் பதிலளித்தார்.

ஆயினும் முதலமைச்சர் ஒருவர் அவ்வாறு அனுமதி பெற்றுத்தான் செல்ல வேண்டும் என்று சட்டத்தில் இருப்பதாகத் தனக்குத் தெரியவில்லை என்றும் அவ்வாறு இருந்தால் அதற்கமைவாகவே செயற்படுவேன் என்றும் வடமாகாண முதலமைச்சர் விக்னேஸ்வரன் குறிப்பிட்டார்.

For Bala Tampoe

By Jean-Pierre Page -September 6, 2014

Jean-Pierre Page

The working class and the labor movement in your country has just lost withBala Tampoe one of its most prominent leaders. I bow my head with respect and salute the memory of the man who for decades has embodied the image and actions of Sri Lankan trade unionism. I would like to express my solidarity, and also the solidarity of the workers and their trade unions in France and around the world, who had the privilege of knowing Bala Tampoe!

Bala Tampoe was an internationalist in the sense understood by revolutionaries! That is, very different from those who like to make speeches about it, but who never translate it into concrete action! For Bala Tampoe, internationalism was not just an add-on, but rather the indispensable extension to be given to the historic struggle of the international working class to create the conditions for its emancipation.

I have known Bala well ! It is 20 years ago that Tamara Kunanayakam asked me to arrange meetings for Bala with our trade union confederation, the CGT! Ours is the largest and most important workers organization in France, in Europe and in the world. It is one of the oldest and the most respected organisations, as heir to the Paris Commune, deeply engaged in the armed resistance against the occupation of our country during the Second World War, and as leader of the anti imperialist and anti colonial struggles. Bala, who, despite his being very knowledgeable about our history, showed tremendous curiosity for further knowledge about our discussions and our actions!

Bala Tampoe

Together with Bala, we established a cooperation, which took concrete shape in solidarity actions to support the struggle of the Colombo dock workers. Bala also showed great interest in actions and strikes that were ours, but which were also yours – our permanent struggle for the defense of our existing rights, the battle to gain new ones, and the fight to open a perspective other than capitalism for the world of labour: a socialist perspective!

In France, in Sri Lanka and in the world, we all belong to the same working class, we share common interests, and the class struggle is our common struggle. It is the struggle of all those who through their labour produce wealth and whose interests are fundamentally opposed to those of the rich, of the employers, of the profiteers, and of corrupt governments! We support each other, we need your battles to win ours, just as you need our battles to win yours!

Internationally, Bala not only helped in the organisation of actions, but he also made known trade unionism in your country, its history, its victories and failures. Bala was a man of great culture, of boundless curiosity, with an encyclopedic vision of the world! We often had passionate debates and I must admit sometimes we had our differences. But I must also admit with humility that I gained great knowledge from this exceptional human being, this real man.

I remember that during the international conference commemorating the 150^th anniversary of the Communist Manifesto in Paris, which was attended by researchers, scholars, and men of culture and action of great renown, Bala was one of the speakers at the closing session at the prestigious University of Paris La Sorbonne. He knew how to be very impressive!

Another thing that brought us together was Bala Tampoe’s passionate defense of the concept of trade union independence, independence from political parties, religions, but above all independence from employers and exploiters! He believed rightly that workers are capable of organizing and directing their own struggles without the need for teachers or givers of orders. There cant be those who do, and others who decide!  This was an important issue in Bala’s concept of trade unionism!

Bala used to say, “I am of Tamil origin, but I’m not known as a Tamil, but as a leader of the working class.” He perfectly understood how communalism and communal politics was the poison of division and how it is used against the workers and working class unity, which is indispensable. That is also how Bala Tampoe saw this so-called “reconciliation”!

Finally, for many trade unionists in my country and around the world, Bala Tampoe was a man of great rigour, totally selfless, far from material interests and never in search of personal advantage! But, above all, he was a man of principles. One never negotiates away one’s owns principles, especially not those related to the sovereignty of the country, to the independence of the working class movement, or to one’s way of being!

I would like to conclude by quoting a great French writer, a militant Communist ,Elsa Triolet. She once wrote, “there are only two sides to a barricade” and we must choose which side we are on! Bala Tampoe chose his, without hesitation. He chose the side of the workers and their trade union movement!

For this reason and for his loyalty to principles, Bala Tampoe will always remain for all of us, not an icon, but an example, which must inspire new generations of militants who, like Bala and others before them, devoted their lives to this noble humane cause, that of trade unionism!

சம்பந்தன், மனோ, அசாத் சாலி 

ஆகியோர் புதிய கூட்டணியில்

[ சனிக்கிழமை, 06 செப்ரெம்பர் 2014, 01:23.12 PM GMT ]

சிறுபான்மை இனங்களின் உரிமைகளை பாதுகாக்கும் நோக்கில் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு, ஜனநாயக மக்கள் முன்னணி மற்றும் தேசிய ஐக்கிய முன்னணி ஆகியன இணைந்து கூட்டணி ஒன்றை ஏற்படுத்த தீர்மானித்துள்ளன.

நாட்டில் இருக்கு வலுவான எதிர்க்கட்சி ஒன்றின் தேவையை பூர்த்தி செய்யவும் சிறுபான்மை இனங்களின் கோரிக்கையை வென்றெடுக்க வலுவான கூட்டணி ஒன்றின் தேவையை நிறைவேற்றும் வகையிலும் இந்த கூட்டணி ஏற்படுத்தப்படுவதாகவும் தேசிய ஐக்கிய முன்னணியின் தலைவரும் மத்திய மாகாண சபை உறுப்பினருமான அசாத் சாலி தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

இந்த கூட்டணியில் சிறுபான்மை இன மக்களை பிரதிநிதித்துவப்படுத்தும் மேலும் பல கட்சிகள் இணைத்து கொள்ளப்பட உள்ளன.

சிறுபான்மை கட்சிகளின் கூட்டணியினால் எதிர்வரும் ஜனாதிபதித் தேர்தலில் வேட்பாளர் ஒருவர் நிறுத்தப்படலாம் என கூறியுள்ள அவர், தமது கூட்டணியின் ஊடாக அரசாங்கத்திற்கும் எதிர்க்கட்சிக்கும் தமது கோரிக்கைகள் முன்வைக்கப்படும் எனவும் குறப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.

அரசாங்கமும் எதிர்க்கட்சியும் சிறுபான்மை மக்களின் கோரிக்கைகளை நிறைவேற்றுவதில்லை எனவும் அசாத் சாலி மேலும் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

U.N. failed to protect civilians during Sri Lanka's bloody war end, says report

A Tamil demonstrator holds up a hand as they wear a glove covered with fake blood during a protest near the Commonwealth Secretariat in London November 15, 2013.

BY NITA BHALLA-Fri Sep 5, 2014

NEW DELHI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The United Nations failed in its mandate to protect Sri Lankan civilians caught up in the final phases of the Indian Ocean island's bloody war, a new report has said.

Sri Lanka's civil conflict ended in May 2009 in cataclysmic final battle in which government forces surrounded Tamil rebels on a tiny strip of coastal land, where the separatists kept hundreds of thousands of civilians as human shields.

A 2011 U.N. probe estimates about 40,000 people were killed in the final phases of the war, mostly by army shelling and bombardments. Sri Lanka has rejected the allegation and claims in its own investigation that around 7,000 people died.

Written by two Sri Lankan charities, the report said despite signs of escalating violence, U.N. staff "consistently preferred to err on the side of caution in responding to the crisis."

"The UN system as a whole made little effort to prevent the humanitarian tragedy that ensued," said the Narratives III report.

"They failed to diagnose the nature of the problem at the early stages and were incapable of designing a coordinated strategy to separate the civilians from the LTTE (rebels) and enable them to move into the government controlled areas."

The report - by the Marga Institute and the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies - contradicts earlier reports by the U.N. and human rights groups which puts the blame for civilian deaths largely on government forces.

Instead, it holds the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) primarily responsible due to its strategy of holding civilians captive and using them as shields.

It said it was necessary to question whether the U.N.'s surveillance of the actions of the LTTE was adequate and whether more decisive action could have been taken to prevent civilians being used in this manner.

The U.N. office in Colombo declined to comment on the report's findings.

U.N. LACKED RESPONSIBILITY

The report questions various actions taken by the U.N. such the almost immediate relocation of all its staff out of the war zone, saying that even though the government advised the U.N. to leave due to safety risks, the organisation should have negotiated to stay.

"In the context of both the lack of contestation of the government's request and the absence of any negotiation for further time to be provided, the report concludes that the U.N. failed in its protection mandate by relocating," it states.

The report said the U.N. lacked a strategic approach to minimising the death toll. It said the U.N. should have encouraged civilians who were fleeing with the rebels to cross over to government controlled area, adding that this would have avoided people being used as human shields.

It attributed some of the failures to staff on the ground which it said had little or no expertise in analysing military operations in terms of their humanitarian risks or in protecting civilians.

The report also said the U.N.'s complex bureaucracy and decision-making processes prevented vital information from being channelled to senior officials with expertise.

For example, during a 10-month window of opportunity for the U.N. to roll out a comprehensive plan for civilian evacuation, no information on the potential risks that civilians would eventually face was transmitted to U.N. headquarters, it said.

"The U.N. bureaucracy and parochial decision-making processes at the time prevented such a plan - a plan that could have significantly reduced the number of civilian casualties during the latter states of the war," it said.

The U.N. human rights office in July embarked on a controversial probe into alleged war crimes. The move has angered President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government which says it will not cooperate with U.N. investigators.

(Editing by Ros Russell)

தமிழரசுக் கட்சியின் தலைவராக மாவை சேனாதிராஜா, செயலாளராக துரைராஜசிங்கம் தெரிவு

[ சனிக்கிழமை, 06 செப்ரெம்பர் 2014, 07:05.31 AM GMT ]

இலங்கைத் தமிழரசுக் கட்சியின் 15வது தேசிய மாநாட்டின் இரண்டாம் நாள் நிகழ்வுகள் இன்று வவுனியா நகரசபை கலாசார மண்டபத்தில் ஆரம்பமாகியது.

கட்சியின் தலைவர் இரா.சம்பந்தன் தலைமையில் காலை 9.30க்கு ஆரம்பமான நிகழ்வுகளில் 160 பொதுச்சபை உறுப்பினர்கள் பங்கேற்றுள்ளனர்.

இதன்போது தமிழரசுக் கட்சியின் தலைவர், செயலாளர், பொருளாளர் உட்பட கட்சியின் புதிய நிர்வாக உறுப்பினர்கள் தெரிவு செய்யப்படுவர்.

இதனையடுத்து நாளை இடம்பெறவுள்ள கட்சியின் மாநாட்டில் வெளியிடப்படும் தீர்மானங்கள் தொடர்பாகவும் கலந்துரையாடப்படவுள்ளது.

இன்றைய நிகழ்வுகளில் தமிழ்த் தேசியத்தின் பதிவுகள் என்ற தலைப்பிலான புகைப்பட கண்காட்சியும் இடம்பெற்றிருந்ததுடன் மாலை 02.00 மணிக்கு தமிழரசுக் கட்சியின் இளைஞர் அணி மாநாடும் இடம்பெறவுள்ளது.

இரண்டாம் இணைப்பு

இலங்கைத் தமிழரசுக் கட்சியின் புதிய தலைவராக நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் மாவை சேனாதிராஜா தெரிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

வவுனியாவில் இடம்பெற்றுக் கொண்டிருக்கும் கட்சியின் சம்மேளனக் கூட்டத்துக்கு முன்னதான புதிய மத்திய அமைப்புக் கூட்டத்தில் இதற்கான பிரேரணை முன்மொழிய, ஏகமனதாக மாவை சேனாதிராஜா தலைவராக தெரிவு செய்யப்பட்டார்.

இந்தநிலையில் கட்சியின் செயலாளராக கிழக்கு மாகாணசபையின் உறுப்பினர் துரைராஜசிங்கம் நியமிக்கப்பட்டார்.

இதுவரை காலமும் நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினரும் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் தலைவருமான இரா. சம்பந்தனே தமிழரசுக் கட்சியின் தலைவராகவும் செயற்பட்டு வந்தார்.

இந்த தலைமைத்துவ மற்றும் கட்சியின் பொறுப்பு மாற்றங்கள் குறித்து அறிவிப்பு நாளை நடைபெறவுள்ள பேராளர் மாநாட்டில் பகிரங்கமாக அறிவிக்கப்படவுள்ளது.

கூட்டமைப்பு  யசூசி 

அகாசி இன்றிரவு சந்தித்துப் பேச்சு

2014-09-06 13:11:56 | General

ரொஷான் நாகலிங்கம்
இலங்கை அரசாங்கம் ஜப்பானுக்கு அளித்த வாக்குறுதியை நிறைவேற்றாதுள்ளதாக தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு இலங்கைக்கான ஜப்பானின் விசேட தூதுவர் யசூசி அகாசியிடம் எடுத்துரைக்கவுள்ளது.

2002 ஆம் ஆண்டு இலங்கைக்கான ஜப்பானின் விசேட தூதுவராக யசூசி அகாசி நியமிக்கப்பட்ட நிலையில் 24ஆவது தடவையாக நேற்று வெள்ளிக்கிழமை இலங்கை வந்தார். இந் நிலையில் யசூசி அகாசிக்கும் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்புக்குமிடையிலான சந்திப்பு இன்று சனிக்கிழமை இரவு 7.30 மணிக்கு நடைபெறவுள்ளது.

இச்சந்திப்பின்போது தற்போதைய நிலைமைகள் குறித்தும் இலங்கை அரசாங்கம் ஜப்பானுக்கு அளித்த வாக்குறுதி நிறைவேற்றப்படாமை குறித்தும்  எடுத்துரைக்கவுள்ளதாக தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் எம்.ஏ.சுமந்திரன் தெரிவித்தார்.

இதேவேளை,  நாளை ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை  ஜப்பானிய பிரதமர் இலங்கைவரவுள்ள நிலையில் அவர் அன்றைய தினம் அரசியல் கட்சிகளின் தலைவர்களைச் சந்திக்கவுள்ளார். தமிழரசுக் கட்சியின் மகாநாடு 7ஆம் திகதி ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை நடைபெறவுள்ளதால் ஜப்பானிய பிரதமருடனான சந்திப்பில் கூட்டமைப்பினர் பங்குகொள்ளாமையினால் பிரதமரிடம் எடுத்துரைக்கப்பட வேண்டிய விடயங்கள் குறித்தும் அகாசியிடம் தெரிவிக்கப்படவுள்ளதாகவும் பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் எம்.ஏ.சுமந்திரன் தெரிவித்தார்.

New HR High Commissioner asserts his committment to investigation on Sri Lanka

05/09/2014

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein in his opening statement (to be delivered on next Monday) to the 27th session fo the Human Rights Council has asserted his commitment to the investigation on Sri Lanka mandated by the Council. The statement shows that new High Commissioner will also be a strong advocate of role of civil society and protection of human rights defenders, two areas that former High Commissioner Navi Pillay attached importance.
New HR High Commissioner Asserts His Committment to Investigation on Sri Lanka by Thavam

Abject Cowardice Vs Common-Or-Garden Fear

By Emil van der Poorten -September 6, 2014 

Emil van der Poorten

As someone who has been accused of foolhardiness up to and including exhibiting suicidal impulses in the matter of criticizing the most violent government in Sri Lanka’s post-independence history and, perhaps of all time, I suppose I bring to this piece some experience, if not expertise, in matters associated with its title.

At the outset let me say that I have been wearied by the constant admonitions from my friends, almost without exception, not to provoke a government that has given ample evidence of its capacity to respond to those who are seen as its “enemies” with less than the application of the rules and philosophy attributed to the Marquess of Queensbury.  Worse than the veiled and not-so-veiled-threats has been the advice of friends and relations to “back off,” “not act as a cat’s paw for people lacking the intestinal fortitude to call a spade a spade,” etc.  Some of this has even come from those I know to be acolytes of the current regime and I can but guess at their motivation!

As I might have answered in another time and in another place, “I have not now nor ever had” ambitions of being a Horatius prepared to sacrifice life and limb in defence of some bridge of democracy.  No, mine is a far more mundane motivation, one that is driven by a belief that it is one’s right (and duty) as a thinking human being to apply whatever skills are at one’s disposal to the defence of those elements of behavior that separate human beings from the lesser mammals.  As simple and, maybe, as complex as that!

Even if I did have pretensions of being some heaven–sent saviour of Sri Lankan democracy and good governance, the recent reality is that I would not have had to fight to be some kind of primus inter pares in that regard  in this country.  The reason for that state of affairs is that I have seen few, if any, certainly among those writing for publication, that fit in the category of outspoken opponents of Fascism as it is being practiced in Sri Lanka.  The exception to this rule has been the coterie of women journalists of skill and courage who have given evidence of being prepared to face the wrath of the Rajapaksa Regime in their search for the truth and the exposure of the (totally rotten) status quo in Sri Lanka.Read More

Power sharing a sine qua non – Hasan Ali

Saturday, September 06, 2014

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka which led to the creation of provincial councils as well as making Sinhala and Tamil as official languages with English as the link language was passed in parliament on 14 November 1987. Since then, this amendment has been a vexed issue with its implementation being mired in controversy.

The Sunday Leader spoke to the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Hasan Ali, seeking the stance of the party, consequent to India stating that the 13th Amendment should be fully implemented.

Excerpts of the interview:

By Fathima Razik

Q: What is the SLMC’s current stand on the 13th Amendment?

A: We are very clear about our views on the 13th Amendment. We want a meaningful power sharing arrangement for the Northern and the Eastern Provinces as envisaged in the amendment. The 13th Amendment had been accepted, constitutionally, by the government at the time and therefore it should be fully implemented. The minority communities in the north and east are not confident with the local mechanisms in place. When a select committee was appointed to look into the issues, the Muslims were not considered as a stakeholder – the SLMC was kept away. That is why the Tamils are also reaching out to the international community.

Q: Could you comment on the government’s policies in this regard?

A: The government’s policies are controlled by the hardliners. The decision makers are hardliners. They will not give us a meaningful mechanism of power sharing. As such, the only possibility is to look towards the international community.

Q: Police powers and land sharing powers – how do you view them?

A: The majority communities in the two provinces are the Tamils and the Muslims. Therefore, their concerns should be addressed. Due to the late prime minister, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, introducing the Sinhala Only Act in the 1950s, the Tamils and the Muslims had to face many issues as their language, culture and religions are different to that of the majority community.

That is why these two communities want power sharing. For example, the Ampara district has 76 per cent of its population speaking Tamil. But the entire administration is overseen by the Sinhalese and the affairs of the district are conducted in Sinhala. By doing so, the government is alienating the minorities.

One must consider why a war started in the North and the East and not in other provinces. It happened because of the problems the people in these two provinces had been facing over a period of time. The lifestyles of the Tamils and the Muslims are different to the majority community – they also speak the same language.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had signed an affidavit in court that they are not for the division of the country. We, the Muslims, had never asked and we will never ask for a separate state. All we want is to share power.

Q: There is fear of Muslim terrorism in Sri Lanka. How do you respond?

A: They should prove that such terrorism exists and not make a blanket statement; they should identify the people involved so that steps can be taken to prevent any action by such persons. The SLMC was founded by the late leader, A.H.M. Ashroff, to prevent Muslim youths from taking to arms.

He gave them political leadership, and veered them away from engaging in arms. I too am a founder of the party, and we said it was wrong for the Muslim youth to take to arms. The youth in the North and East took to arms due to the lack of political leadership. The youths from both communities speak the same language – Tamil, and the Muslim youth were enticed to join the Tamils. But we stopped this from happening, and we will never allow that to happen. We are prepared to step in and prevent any Muslim youths from engaging in arms.

In 1990, Varatharaja Perumal made a Unilateral Declaration of Tamil Eelam. At the time, no one protested but the SLMC did. We said we will never support a separation of the country, and we walked out. It’s unfortunate that some people say we are radicals, which we are not.

If there is no meaningful power sharing, the friction between the communities will increase. Earlier, the Tamils only asked for district councils – nothing more. The leaders at the time refused to grant this request which led to the conflict.

Such mechanisms are in place in the US, Europe and even in India. In a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society, this is important. There must be freedom for the minorities to lead their lives.

Intra party conflicts heat up Moneragala

Saturday, 06 September 2014 

Election office of Minister's son burnt - Samurdhi manager threatened 

Intra party conflicts in Moneragala have increased in the past few days as candidates of United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and United National Party (UNP) have fought with each other. Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) has received 238 election related complaints out of which 177 are from Moneragala.

Election office of Udara Zoysa (son of minister Wijayamuni Zoysa) at 11 Mile Post, Dodangahawatte was set on fire at around 4.30 am yesterday (05.) Three large cutouts and a number of other items in the office was completely destroyed. On September 03 flash lights at the office were taken away and the attack today is quite similar to those against Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and UNP in recent weeks. Those who were attacked said that it was carried out by outsiders.

Meanwhile a JVP office in Udaviharagala Haputale was also attacked today.

A powerful minister has assaulted Samurdhi office manager of Sempathigama, of the Medawela DS division. This was done as the manager was assisting UPFA's chief ministerial candidate Sashindra Rajapaksa. Since it was a conflict between candidates of the same party a complaint has not been lodged with the police.
Two UNP supporters were assaulted at Polgahaarawa, Kandeketiya by UPFA supporters travelling on a Defender Jeep.

UPFA candidate Suresh Wadiwel who was issued notice for the first election violence incident, attacking Sunil de Silva and his son Manju Bandara of Passara did not turn up at the court for the second time. Although notice has been issued on him, he is freely campaigning in Badulla.

What Was Behind The Vijaya Kumaratunga Murder?

Vijaya Kumaratunga and JR Jayewardene

By Rajan Hoole -September 6, 2014

Rajan Hoole

Political Murders, the Commissions and the Unfinished Task – 13

We suggest that what was behind the Kumaratunge (VK) murder was not the presidential election several months away, but his support for the solution to the ethnic problem under the Indo-Lanka Accord. To attribute presidential rivalry as the cause of his demise is to trivialise the tragedy. He had almost no chance of becoming president in 1988. If power had been his sole aim, Premadasa would have welcomed him into the UNP. In pitting his charisma and popularity on the side of socialist ideals and a radical vision of ethnic harmony, he was going against the grain of Southern politics. This was his greatness.

His base was again in the same poor working-class areas in which Premadasa had his, and in which Premadasa too had built up his following. It was here that the JVP too was recruiting. Neither Premadasa nor Kumaratunge sought to confront the JVP, which is fair enough. The JVP’s anti-Indian position was a recent volte- face – a quick means to power. The JVP had long maintained regular contact with the Indian High Commission (IHC) and its position as late as 1986 was that the Tamil problem should be resolved with Indian help. This link is not at all surprising in an underground party, which may any time need at least room for refuge in a neighbouring country. In 1987 Premadasa had also staked his drive for power on the anti-Indian cry, creating room for some temporary accommodation between him and Wijeweera, except that in the long run it had to be him or Wijeweera, not both.

                                                                        Read More

‘Muslim Extremism’

Sri Lankan Muslims at the crossroads – 15

By Izeth Hussain-September 5, 2014

I come now to the charge that looms large, very large, in Sri Lankan Buddhist consciousness that the Muslims destroyed Buddhism in several countries which consequently became predominantly Muslim. It is assumed that this was the consequence of Islamic conversion by the sword. I pointed out in my last article that there was no precedent Muslim conquest in several countries which were converted to Islam, such as the Maldives, Malaysia, Indonesia, and several Black African countries. 

‘Muslim Extremism’ Sri Lankan Muslims at the Crossroads – 15 by Thavam

Common Presidential Candidate: Consensus building initiated

05/09/2014

[Political leaders at a public meeting held by NMSJ; Daily FT photo]
National Movement for Social Justice headed by Ven. Madiluvawe Sobhitha thero has drafted a plan pf action to build consensus among political parties in order to abolish Executive Presidency in Sri Lanka. The draft action plan to be the political programme of a common presidential candidate in the up coming presidential election and has been forwarded to political parties in Sri Lanka.

Among the salient features of the action plan are: The draft constitutional amendment shall be released along with the manifesto of the common candidate; The amendment shall take effect on the expiry of six months counted from the date of the Presidential election. The exact date on which the amendment becomes effective shall be stated in the amendment; The Bill for the amendment of the Constitution shall be placed before Parliament within one month of the Presidential election and the exact date on which it would be so presented shall be stated in the election manifesto; The post of President is abolished upon the amendment taking effect. The new (nominal) President shall be elected by Parliament

The letter sent by the NMSJ follows:

Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya

A People’s Agenda for Creating a Just, Democratic and Decent Society by the Abolition of the Executive Presidency and the Re-introduction of the Seventeenth Amendment

As you are already aware, National Movement for Social Justice has launched a people’s movement for the abolition of the executive presidency and the re-introduction of the Seventeenth Amendment. The aim of that movement is to work towards the victory of a common candidate committed to attaining the above objectives and based on a short-term programme if the present Government does not do the same and instead proceeds to hold another Presidential election.

The above objectives are in consonance with the broad aspirations of the people and will contribute in a no small measure to free our country from the unfortunate situation it is presently in and establish an order which assures social justice, democracy, good governance and equal rights to all citizens irrespective of ethnicity, religion or caste.

The National Movement for Social Justice desires that your Party too becomes an active partner in the movement and contributes to the attainment of the aspirations of the people. As such, we would be thankful if you would inform us of the official position of your party on the programme put forward by us. The main features of the programme are as follows:

1. The immediate abolition of the executive presidency, the transfer of executive power to Parliament and the appointment of the Member of Parliament who commands the confidence of Parliament as Prime Minister
2. The re-introduction of the Seventeenth Amendment with necessary changes
3. Change the system of elections as a matter of priority so that the aspirations of the people are properly represented in the legislature
4. Put forward a detailed road map to attain the above within six months. The road map is as follows:
• The draft constitutional amendment shall be released along with the manifesto of the common candidate
• The amendment shall take effect on the expiry of six months counted from the date of the Presidential election. The exact date on which the amendment becomes effective shall be stated in the amendment
• The Bill for the amendment of the Constitution shall be placed before Parliament within one month of the Presidential election and the exact date on which it would be so presented shall be stated in the election manifesto
• The post of President is abolished upon the amendment taking effect. The new (nominal) President shall be elected by Parliament
• The new President shall appoint as Prime Minister, the Member of Parliament who commands the confidence of Parliament
5. A common candidate would be put forward at the next Presidential election and the victory of the common candidate shall be ensured by a combined effort.

An early reply would be greatly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha
On behalf of the National Movement for Social Justice

Casino Dhammika opposes monorail project!

Saturday, 06 September 2014 

Transport ministry secretary, casino businessman Dhammika Perera, has opposed the monorail project for which the foundation is to be laid once the Chinese president arrives in the country, say ministry sources.

Both the treasury and the assessment committee have approved the project, but the transport ministry is not extending the required assistance, as Dhammika Perera has been having plans to start a monorail project of his own.

The first phase of this monorail project will see a railway line built from Katunayake airport to the proposed casino zone at D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha at Colombo Fort. The sole objective of this project is not to provide better transportation for air passengers, but to ensure that international casino players reach the casino zone without delay. This project will see several monorails dismantled in Japan used to lay the railway line. The feasilibility study of the project was done by Dhammika Perera’s Vallibel Finance.

General manager of the Railway Department Ariyaratne has objected to the project due to the plan to use expired monorails. He is publicly saying that this would be a failure. This has led to the creation of a major dispute between Ariyaratne and Dhammika Perera, say ministry sources. Dhammika Perera is provoking trade unions against the general manager, and it is known at the ministry that Dhammika provides various perks for TU leaders.

Dhammika is also planning to use the UNP MPs who come to the casinos owned by him, to raise a voice in parliament against the railways general manager, add ministry sources.