Renewing Resolve

| Editorial Tamil Guardian

( September 17, 2014, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The start of the UN Human Rights Council’s 27th session this week saw the welcome reaffirmation of resolve to pursue accountability for mass atrocities in Sri Lanka through a UN inquiry from the newly appointed High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid al-Hussein and the US and UK missions. Amid the crises unfolding in Iraq, Syria and Ukraine, the High Commissioner’s pointed statement highlighting the importance he places on the OHCHR Investigation into Sri Lanka (OISL) is a significant pledge to fulfill the commendable legacy of his predecessor, Navi Pillay. Equally resolved however was Sri Lanka in its determination to oppose it. Reiterating its categorical rejection of the inquiry, Sri Lanka renewed its refusal to cooperate with UN investigators. Its seemingly desperate attempts to block the functioning of the inquiry, only serve to vindicate the basis on which member states led and supported the resolution in March mandating an international inquiry – Sri Lanka will not deliver accountability and justice for the deaths of over 70,000 Tamils during the final stages of the armed conflict itself.

In the five months since the resolution, Sri Lanka has systematically sought to criminalise NGOs and activists who were principal in its passage, proscribing key Tamil diaspora organisations and activists as ‘terrorists’ and imposing restrictions targeting the notable handful of Sinhala human rights activists and organisations who supported the inquiry. The diaspora proscriptions not only target those individuals, but seek to prevent evidence outflow from Tamils on the island, to the UN investigators via diaspora networks. Meanwhile, Tamils in the North-East have been collectively punished for their support of the inquiry and are increasingly terrorised in an effort to stop them from engaging with it. Many of the Tamils arrested in mass round-ups around March, including the prominent disappearances campaigner Balendran Jeyakumari, remain under detention in prisons notorious for torture and sexual violence. Tamils found talking to international officials have faced harassment and death threats by state backed mobs and military intelligence officers, while government officials have openly discussed the possibility of reprisal measures against individuals who engage with the inquiry.

It is in this context of five years of absolute refusal to even acknowledge mass atrocities committed against the Tamil people followed by five months of increasingly frenzied attempts to obstruct the international inquiry, that Sri Lanka’s claims to the Council of domestic accountability via an internal probe with an international garnish must be viewed. Sri Lanka cannot investigate itself. The alleged crimes are too grave and the state has over several decades under successive administrations, proved itself unwilling to deliver justice to the Tamil people. Indeed even now, the opposition UNP, far from pressing the government to cooperate with the inquiry, criticises the government for placing Sri Lanka under international scrutiny and its armed forces at risk of prosecution.

Amid this intensifying climate of intimidation, the willingness of Tamil people - living under effective military occupation in the North-East and having sought asylum abroad - to come forward as witnesses at great risk to themselves and their families, demonstrates the Tamil people’s resolve to pursue accountability, and ultimately justice. It was for these victims that the Council voted to mandate the inquiry, and it is for them that the Council must now ensure sustained scrutiny of Sri Lanka over coming months. Intoxicated with the impunity it continues to enjoy, Sri Lanka’s conduct illustrates it will not think twice before intensifying repression of the Tamil people. As the March 2015 deadline for the inquiry approaches, it is clear attacks on Tamils will increase. It beholds member states to ensure the safety of witnesses and safeguard them from reprisal. This must go beyond calls on Sri Lanka to restrain itself and become tangible reprimand and action.

Godfrey report thrown out of the UNHRC in Geneva

 

Wednesday, 17 September 2014 

On Monday 8th September 2014, the very 1st day of the 27th session of the UN Human Rights Council, there was only one briefing in the UN building. It was organised by the Sri Lankan government mouth-piece, the “International Buddhist Foundation”, (IBF). In fact, these types of NGOs are known among the participants of the UN as “GONGOs” - meaning Government NGO (GONGO). If one goes through statements and meetings of the IBF right from the beginning, it is clear they are doing none other than justifying the Sri Lankan government’s atrocities, policies and positions. They also slander and criticise whoever presents the case of Sri Lanka.

The Lankans in Geneva who assist the meetings of IBF inside the UN are all Rajapaksa supporters, especially the Lankan drivers in Geneva, who work for some foreign Embassies. They enter the UN building with their embassy badges to take photographs and videos for the IBF, extreme Sinhala websites and some Sinhala newspapers in Colombo. The main person believed to be behind all this is Kirthi Warnakulasooriya who writes fiction for a Sinhala newspaper ‘Divaina’ in Colombo.

Therefore it comes as no surprise that the “Godfrey report” (Narrative III) was brought to the UNHRC through the IBF. Those who have had doubts about the Marga Institute for a long time, got a chance to clear them, on 8th September, when the Institute tried to present Godfrey’s report in the UN.

Since 2009, Rajapaksa’s government has sent their lobbyists through different organisations, agendas and reports. Therefore many states and international human rights organisations expected that this session too, there would be a delegation from Colombo. As expected, three lobbyists arrived in Geneva with the “Godfrey report” on 1st September, to meet a few delegations.

Those three lobbyists do not seem to know the methods of working in the UNHRC, especially in a briefing. They thought they could speak like addressing a political rally and escape without answering any questions.

This is where those three, Dr Godfrey Gunatilleka, Dr Ashoka Gunawardena and Jeevan Thiagarajah were trapped and had a difficult time. The result was that Godfrey Gunatillkea spent a few sleepless nights and wrote an article in the form of an interview, “Marga CHA to Sandara Beidas : ‘Remove war crime charges, revisit IHL’,  which was published in one of the English newspapers (The Sunday Times of 14 September) in Colombo.

Usually any fiction about the UNHRC in Geneva is written by Kirthi Warnakulasooriya and then appears in a Sinhala newspaper (Divaina). As everyone is beginning now to understand Kirithi Warnakulasooriya’s racist style of writing, this time Dr Godfrey Gunatilleka wrote the interview-style article published in another newspaper (The Sunday Times).

However, one must thank Dr Godfrey Gunatilleka for accepting a few truths in his writing. One observation in his writing is that, in the Geneva briefing, one of the panellists Ashoka Gunawardena was introduced as a ‘Doctor’. But in Godfrey's writings, he is reluctant to call him a ‘Doctor’.

Then the missions that they met were Canada, Russia, India and South Africa. Out of 193 UN member states they managed to meet only these few states, showing how many other UN member states were reluctant to receive the Godfrey report.

The number he gave of people who attended this briefing was an exaggerated figure. They made a video recording of this briefing. If the figure given below is wrong, they can count the number of participants on their video images.

There were only 40 attendees! About half of these included local Lankans living in Geneva, brought by the IBF especially for this meeting, the four panellists including moderator and three other delegation members from China, Cuba and Venezuela.

 States making presentations in a NGO briefing is a joke and this proves that the Sri Lanka delegation is behind this meeting.

Most of the remaining “attendees” did not attend this meeting throughout. They came and went. This is what Gunatilleke counts as 70-75, stating “We had a good audience”. This is just one example of what he wrote in his so-called “interview”.

Then he writes about one “Kirumal, if I am not mistaken – an important LTTE spokesman”. This Kirumal is KIRUPA of France (S. V. Kirupaharan), who has been attending the UN human rights forums since 1990. Gunatilleke hides his identity for a good reason. Kirupa believes in legal action against defamation.

In fact, an ex-civil servant who is a person well-known in the UN and amongst VVIPs of Sri Lanka, Mr David Whaley; the Amnesty UN representative, Mr Peter Splinter and Kirupa were the people who challenged Godfrey’s report and questioned them about their funding and activities. In fact, David Whaley checkmated the panellists on many of the subjects they spoke on.

Even though the right answer was not given in that briefing, Gunatilleka’s writing now reveals the right reply to an interesting question. He says under a sub-title, “Who funded the Marga/CHA exercise?” that “……. .. Both CHA and we (Marga) were keen there should be no direct government funding of this — though if we had approached the Government we might have had some support from it.”  Thank you Dr Godfrey Gunatilleka for letting the cat out of the bag!

Then came the question about the “Darusman” report. An NGO which is supposed to respect the Paris principles, naming a UN Expert report as the “Darusman” report will not be accepted in any UN forums. The Sri Lankan government has been using this description since this report was first published and their GONGOs are following suit.

The Godfrey report was then and there rejected by the majority of the UN member States, International NGOs and institutions in Geneva.

Dr Godfrey Gunatilleka who could not cope with the shock treatment given in the NGO briefing, is presently using his influence in Sri Lanka to justify his blunders in Geneva. Today’s question is, has he done even this properly?

By writing fiction and utter lies about the happenings in the UNHRC in Geneva, one group of newspapers has already lost its credibility. Now they are trying to tarnish the image of another newspaper (Sunday Times) in Colombo. Hope the management of Sunday Times  will take a note of it.
Geneva correspondent

France happy over continuation of RSF case

Eye Sri Lanka-Wednesday, September 17, 2014

The French Embassy said yesterday it was pleased to know that the case on the killing of 17 aid workers was being pursued and would like to encourage the Attorney General’s Department in this endeavor. These aid workers attached to the French organisation called ‘Action Contre la Faim (ACF)’ were killed in August, 2006.

The embassy said this case remained of utmost importance to the French Embassy in Sri Lanka. “The Embassy will continue to pay close attention to developments in this case to ensure justice is served. We like to clarify that, although we do believe that every possible means of finding the culprits should be explored, the proposition to facilitate the obtaining of statements from witnesses living in France or in Sri Lanka was not made by the French Embassy,” it said.

“The Attorney General suggested it was necessary to collect all information from eye witnesses, including from those who live in France. He expressed his hope that those in France would come forward to testify, be it anonymously, in France itself or by travelling to Sri Lanka. The Embassy of France took note of this proposition but did not offer any particular assistance in this regard,” the embassy said.

The French Embassy has reminded the Attorney General that the protection of witnesses was a prerequisite in the course of the investigation and that all methods used during the investigation must serve the sole objective of bringing to justice those responsible for the massacre of 17 aid workers of ACF.”

Please Don't Forget Us When You Talk With Modi - Tamils for Obama

 Wednesday, 17 September 2014 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is paying a state visit to the White House this month; Tamils for Obama urges the president to include Tamil matters in their discussions and to consult the wise and well informed Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa.

"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is comingto the US to call on you this month," began the letterthat Tamils for Obama wrote to the president this week.

"Modi will probably want to talk about regional security, economic matters between India and the US, and international terrorism," the letter went on. "We hope you and PM Modi will find time to discuss matters involving the Tamils in Sri Lanka."
"We named a few of the reasons we think Tamil matters cry out for attention," said the Tamils for Obama press spokesman. "We wrote the president 'Tamils in Sri Lanka are suffering. The armed forces are seizingTamil properties--homes, farms, lands, and businesses are being taken and transferred to Sinhalese citizens. Cultural objects like Hindu temples are being uprooted and replaced by Buddhist temples. Sexual violence against single and widowed Tamil women by the Sri Lankan armed forces has become rampant. Unexplained disappearances with no legal recourse for families of vanished persons are common. The white vans of paramilitary organizations are a frightening daily phenomenon.

'The Tamil population is scared of the Sinhalese army. This creates an intolerable and unsustainable situation which cannot and will not endure; unrest and disorder are the least of what may be expected.'

"These conditions will lead to bad results," said the spokesman. "If the storm doesn't come soon, it will come later. We are urging the two leaders to take action now."

The letter continued "We hope that you and the Indian Prime Minister will discuss ways to solve these persistent problems. We expect that you and Mr. Modi will include Jayalalithaa in your discussion. She is the Chief Minister of the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu. She is the best informed and most involved Indian leader in Tamil matters, and perhaps the most influential and popular. In the past Jayalalithaa has proposed a referendum among the Tamils in the northeast of Sri Lanka and the displaced Tamils in the Tamil diaspora. This referendum will establish their wish for their political future."

The letter concluded "The answer to all of the Tamils' problems is probably an independent and self-protecting Tamil state. If the Tamil-inhabited provinces continue to be ruled by Colombo, all of these problems will continue into the future for as far as we can see. If an independent Tamil state exists, the Tamils will be able to protect themselves and solve their own problems. Everything rests on separation."

Tamils for Obama is a politically active group of Tamil Americans. They believe that over 70,000 Tamil civilians were massacred during the last weeks of the Sri Lankan ethnic war. They have also watched the behavior of the Sri Lankan Singhalese victors after the war, and strongly conclude that Tamils in Sri Lanka will only be safe when this unfortunate island is divided into two states.

Courtesy - http://www.prweb.com/

Friday Forum Statement on Recent Appointments to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka

March 26, 2011, 4:21 pm 

The Friday Forum is an informal gathering of public spirited persons who are dedicated to promoting peace and development in Sri Lanka within a framework of democracy, social justice and pluralism. To that end, the Forum has, from time to time, made interventions regarding matters of public concern. This statement too is made in the spirit of democratic engagement through the articulation of our views on matters of vital importance to national life.

The Friday Forum wishes to express its deep concern about recent appointments made to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, details of which were carried in newspaper reports. We are concerned about two important dimensions relating to the appointments: first, the process by which the appointments were made and secondly, the suitability of some appointees to serve on the Commission.

First, there is no transparency regarding the process by which the appointees were selected. We understand that the opposition did not participate in the process. While we can fault the opposition for its non-participation, that does not cure the very unsatisfactory nature of the process by which members of independent institutions are to be appointed under the controversial 18th Amendment to the Constitution that was rushed through parliament as an urgent Bill. The "Parliamentary Council", that replaced the more representative and independent Constitutional Council created by the 17th Amendment, is hamstrung by the fact that the President may only seek its observations.

While recognizing that the 18th Amendment is now law, we yet wish to express our steadfast opposition to the abolition of the Constitutional Council; what was required was its strengthening and certainly not its abolition. We are convinced that as long as the present arbitrary process of appointments to independent institutions is in operation, public faith and confidence in those bodies will be minimal.

In our opinion, the only way to provide assurances to the public, even in spite of faulty procedure, is to make every effort to appoint well qualified persons of high public standing to independent commissions. From a democratic perspective, the hand of the government will be strengthened if it does so. Unfortunately, the suitability of some of the recent appointees to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) is highly questionable. We understand that among the five appointees are a former Inspector General of Police (IGP), a former Government Analyst and a medical practitioner. We wish to question what human rights protection experience and credentials they bring to the Human Rights Commission. In short, the criteria that may have been used for selection is highly suspect.

We seriously question the suitability of those who have served in the police or the armed forces to serve as members of the Human Rights Commission. A large proportion of complaints received by the HRC are against excesses by the police or the armed forces. Victims of such excesses may be reluctant to come before the HRC for fear of breach of confidentiality and reprisals and, more importantly, of lack of impartiality. After all, justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.

We note that the HRC was downgraded a few years ago by the UN from Grade A to Grade B mainly due to questions about its independence. It was a recognition that Sri Lanka has failed to adhere to the norms of independence and competence required by the Paris Principles relating to National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) adopted by the General Assembly. Those Principles are today used the world over as the common standard to measure the effectiveness of human rights institutions. The problematic nature of the appointment process established by the 18th Amendment and the questionable appointments made recently can only worsen the standing of the HRC.

It is in the best interests of the people and the government of Sri Lanka to restore confidence in the HRC and other independent institutions.

Yours Sincerely,

Jayantha Dhanapala

On behalf of Friday Forum, the Group of Concerned Citizens consisting of;

Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala, Rt. Rev. Bishop Duleep de Chickera, Professor Arjuna Aluwihare, Dr. Devanesan Nesiah, Ms. Sithie Tiruchelvam, Dr. G. Usvatte Arrachchi, Dr. A. C. Viswalingam, Ms. Suriya Wickramasinghe, Dr. Deepika Udagama, Mr. Ahilan Kadirgarmar, Mr. Lanka Nesiah, Dr. Cameena Gunaratne, Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran, Ms. Damaris Wickramasekera, Mr. Prashan de Visser, Mr. H. Wijeyanandana, Mr. Daneshan Casie Chettey, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, Professor Savitri Goonesekere, Mr. J. C. Weliamuna, Dr. Nimal Sanderatne, Mr. C. Jayaratne.

Marga/CHA to Sandra Beidas: ‘Remove war crime charges, revisit IHL’

• Sunday, September 14, 2014

:

Godfrey Gunatilleke

An NGO submission to the OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) presented in Geneva on Monday has demanded that war crimes charges relating to indiscriminate artillery fire, driving civilians into No Fire Zones and causing a large number of casualties tantamount to genocide be removed from the slate of allegations against the Sri Lanka Army (SLA).

It also asked for a revisiting of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which in its present form does not adequately take into account the context of extraordinary circumstances such as those that prevailed in the last stages of the war in Sri Lanka.

Marga CHA to Sandra Beidas ‘Remove War Crime Charges, Revisit IHL’ by Thavam

The Third Term Of Mahinda

| by Nalin de Silva

( September 17, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) We will return to “Knowledge as construction” may be week after next as the country is in the midst of politics with world leaders visiting Sri Lanka and people going to the polling booths in a few days in Uva. Philosophy has not taken a back seat as even politics is not dissociated from the former. Even in the case of the third term of Mahinda we are interested in a construction due to Sarath Nanda Silva, which had escaped his mind for about five years after the eighteenth amendment became part of the Supreme Law of the country.

The Third Term of Mahinda by Thavam

Review of Neville Jayaweera’s Jaffna: Exorcising the Past and Holding the Vision

by Devanesan Nesiah 

- on 09/17/2014 

Part I

When I was asked by Marshell Fernando whether I would review the above, I readily agreed. Neville was several years senior to me in the Ceylon Civil Service and also served as Government Agent (GA) Jaffna but 18 years before my turn. I know him well and have some familiarity with his career till he left the Island prematurely. Further, during his 03 months as GA Badulla, I was his deputy. He is widely regarded as one of the most distinguished of many eminent members of the Ceylon Civil Services. His tenure in Jaffna was particularly well appreciated, even by many who were deeply distrust full of him when he first arrived there.
Review of Neville Jayaweera’s Jaffna Exorcising the Past and Holding the Vision by Thavam

Government Throws Festivities And Parents Are Made To Pay

September 17, 2014

While the government basked in the glory of staging a grand welcome for the Chinese President who arrived in the island yesterday, part of the financial burden of the festivities had been forced upon the parents of children who participatd in the welcome event.

Over 2500 children were stationed along Colombo – Katunayake expressway under the hot sun to perform a dance yesterday morning as part of the welcome for the Chinese President who drove out of the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Students from schools in the Minuwangoda and Negombo education zones had been selected for these dances while another group of students from Newstead Girls College, Davisamara Maha Vidyalaya and Ave Maria College had been made to perform a welcome dance inside the BIA for the Chinese President. They had missed two days of school as a result of participating in the dances.

Parents and teachers are disgruntled about the use of students for these events as the financial burden of the costumes for the dances as well as transportation costs have been forced upon school authorities who in turn have palmed it off on the parents. Education professionals point out that the use of children in this manner is in clear violation of education ministry circulars that state that school children including bands cannot be used in political events.

Similar course of action was followed by the Government in staging performances for the CHOGM held last year where parents were forced to pay Rs. 2000 – 4000 per costume for the dances that students performed.

Chinese President has refused to land at Mattala

 Wednesday, 17 September 2014 

The “Air China” flight with the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping onboard arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (16) at the Bandaranayake International Airport.

Although initial reports predicted that the Chinese President would be landing at the newly built Mattala international Airport, according to the report submitted by the Chinese President’s security service regarding the status of the Mattala Airport, it has later been decided that it would be dangerous to land Mr. Jinping’s plane on to Mattala. Hence the Chinese President has decided that it would be safe to mark his point of entry in to Sri Lanka through Katunayaka Airport.

The interesting fact behind this move is that it was China who had literally “built” the Mattala International Airport in the first place. After landing at Mattala, it had been preplanned for the Chinese President to take the Southern Expressway (which is also a Chinese Construction) in order to arrive in Colombo. However, it has also been discovered that the Southern Expressway too, was a dangerous route to take due to its low-quality construction.

Though the Chinese President declared the third phase of the Chinese built Norochcholai coal power plant yesterday, the first two phases of the Plant are still running on a continuous break down pattern.

However, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa went to BIA to welcome the Chinese leader, who is the biggest lender of Sri Lanka.
-theindependent-

Arrival of Chinese nuclear submarine and warships prior to Chinese President’s visit confirm SL is a Chinese colony

(Laka-e-News- 15.Sep.2014, 11.30PM) While the Chinese President Shi Jinping is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka (SL) tomorrow(16) , this evening a Chinese nuclear military submarine made its appearance at the Colombo harbor CICT Jetty belonging to China, according to reports reaching Lanka e news inside information division.

This ChangZheng 2 submarine is a part of northern China fleet which is nuclear powered has missile power that can hit 80 kilometers distance , and torpedo security system . It is a sophisticated submarine that can communicate directly via the satellite .

In addition to the submarine that has entered the port ,two Chinese naval warships have been anchored out harbor , according to reports reaching Lanka e news inside information division. Further it is reliably learnt that the SL navy had become aware of the arrival of the war submarine and the naval warships of China only at the last moment.

It is worthy of note when British Prime Minister and Prince Charles visited SL recently , they did not bring the British submarine into the Indian ocean. In like manner , when the Chinese President visited four countries including Mexico , America last May , he did not get down the Chinese submarine into the territorial waters of those countries.

Political analysts are of the view that the Chinese President by sending the Chinese submarine to SL prior to his tour had confirmed that SL is a colony of China , besides demonstrating China ‘s hegemony over the Indian ocean.

In the photograph is the ChangZheng 2 Chinese nuclear submarine after having entered the CICT jetty of SL belonging to China 

Japanese PM pressures Sri Lanka to weaken ties with China

By W.A. Sunil -17 September 2014

Shinzo Abe’s two-day visit to Sri Lanka was bound up with a broader drive to secure Japanese influence in South Asia, at the expense of China.

Japanese PM Pressures Sri Lanka to Weaken Ties With China by Thavam

Whom Should MR Fear? US Or 

China?

| by Upul Joseph Fernando

( September 17, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Way back in 1963, Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, was hailed by the China media as the ‘Angel of Peace’ when she carried with her a set proposals to prevent a possible Indo-China war. While in China she signed the maritime agreement. 

Whom Should MR Fear US or  China by Thavam

Yet another corrupt scoundrel as appeal court judge : Dhilip Navaz ‘s putrid antecedence reveled herein

(Lanka-e-News- 16.Sep.2014, 11.00PM) The continuing practice of appointing stooges , the unsuitable and the corrupt to the benches of the judiciary seems unstoppable in present Sri Lanka which is plagued by and plunged in raging lawlessness and corruption on an unprecedented scale. It is with deep regret we report that another such stigmatic judicial appointment is to be made to the appeal court bench on the 17th .

The judge that is to be appointed to the appeal court this time is a solicitor general of the attorney general’s (AG) department by the name of A.H.M. Dhilip Navaz who is in the 19 th rung down in the ladder of seniority . In other words , there are 18 other judges above him who are senior and more suitable for this appointment.

What is most irksome and worrisome to the law abiding people about this appointment is : Navaz, while he was in the AG’s department had faced heinous charges of three instances of corruption . In none of those instances was he exonerated except that they were suppressed , in order to save a downright fraud.

Hereunder are the corrupt and fraudulent involvements of Navaz who is now trim and ready to sit on that hallowed bench tomorrow :

Somewhere in 2010 , when M.M.C. Ferdinando was the secretary to the Ministry of power , the CID launched an investigation into a Rs. 260 million fraud committed by LECO . Usually when CID launches such an investigation , it addresses a letter to the CID requesting his instructions.

It was Ms. Eva Wanasundara who was the AG at that time. Dhilip Navaz who laid hands on this letter before it reached the AG , sent a reply to the CID as though it was from the AG. In that it was mentioned that the investigation cannot be continued any further. The CID who was shocked y by this outrageous reply had contacted Eva Wanasundara for her comments when Eva had told the CID that she was not aware of such a letter and she had not sent a reply, while adding that an investigation shall be conducted.

Later, it was discovered that Navaz had abused official powers and misrepresented himself as the AG to send the fraudulent reply to the CID. Consequently , a probe was instituted against him which revealed that Navaz was also implicated in the Rs. 260 million LECO fraud. While this probe was on going , Palitha Fernando replaced Eva as the AG. Since Palitha Fernando and Mohan Peiris the present chief justice are relatives , due to pressures exerted by Mohan Peiris , the on going probe against Navaz was thrown overboard. This was because of the close ties between Navaz and Mohan Peiris.

In the end , Navaz who was guilty of dual fraud – for impersonation and cheating escaped punishment.

The second criminal involvement of Dhilip Navaz…

Navaz was a member of the board of Law College that conducted the post graduate exam -LL.M.

One candidate who did not sit the exam was passed by Navaz fraudulently. However this came to light when the other candidates started questioning about this. The candidates filed action in court against Navaz . The chief (cheat) justice Mohan Pachoris again came to his rescue . The only punishment meted out to Navaz was dismissing him from the post of examiner.

Navaz’s third fraud ….

This fraud of his demonstrates how demented he is. He was carrying out duties at Amparai as a State counsel some time ago. He was so crazed that on one occasion when the AG spoke to him to get him down to Colombo . Even as the AG spoke , Navaz contacted the Amparai bus depot got a bus and came to Colombo as the solitary passenger on the bus.

It was only when the bus depot contacted the AG’s department to collect the bus fare for transporting him as an only commuter , the fraud of Dhilip Navaz became known.

It was again Mohan Peiris alias Pachoris , a lawyer at that time who appeared to save him. Although Navaz has knowledge of commercial law , it is such a notorious fraud , a rogue and corrupt lawyer who is going to take oaths as a judge of the appeal court.

Another judge who was appointed to the appeal court recently ,too was unfit for the post. He was right down in the ladder of seniority . The most senior judge of the appeal court at present is Anil Gunaratne .Yet latter was not appointed to the post because he heard the appeal of the impeachment motion against former chief justice , a junior was appointed.

In the circumstances , in SL the courts have been reduced to a den of corrupt scoundrels who no longer respect any judicial values. The moth eaten coats of scavengers may fetch a better value . Thanks to the lawless regime which is solely and wholly responsible for dragging down the judiciary from its lofty place of grace to utter disgrace. The most fearful aspect of this mockery of justice is , the people will also necessarily start taking the law into their hands.

Minor earth tremors in Monaragala

September 17, 2014

A minor earth tremor was reported, this morning, in and around the Monaragala district. 

 

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) said that the tremor was reported, at around 7.05 a.m.

 

The vibration of 2.0 on Richter scale also has been recorded at the Earthquake Monitoring Stations (EMS) in Pallekele, it was reported.

 

The GSMB has launched an inquiry in a bid to generate accurate information regarding the tremor.

Golden Key Depositors In Limbo Due To ‘U’ Turn By Mohan Pieris

September 17, 2014 

The completion of the Golden Key depositors repayment, has come to a standstill following the unprecedented stepping down of De Facto Chief Justice Mohan Pieris from the bench which heard the case.

De facto Chief Justice Mohan Pieris

The repayment was scheduled to be completed by January 2015, with the Chairman of the Task Force appointed by the Supreme Court and Central Bank informing court that the entire repayment would be completed by January 2015.

However, in a surprising move Pieris who heard the case and called for the completion of the payment stepped down on July 28th from the bench citing a “scurrilous” letter being circulated in the media and among his family members.

The move was unprecedented as no member of the Sri Lankan media, legal fraternity or otherwise had seen the letter or had witnessed the circulation of it.

Pieris was earlier, accused of many issues of conflict of interest in the mainstream media and through Colombo Telegraph,which did not prevent him from accepting the post of Chief Justice citing “conscience”.

Despite his history, Pieris spearheaded the bench which issued relevant orders for the tracing and disposing of Kothelawala held assets in order to pay the depositors.

“I want to finish the payment as soon as possible because its an indictment on the system. The fact that we have taken so long does not augur well for the judicial system” he told court when the matter was heard on March 10th.

The real reason behind the complete “U” turn is not known, but pressure from purported “employees” of Ceylinco Insurance is said to be the cause.

Directors of Ceylinco Insurance which include Kothelawala’s right hand man, Ajith Gunawaradena are accused of holding a “sham” fund by the name of CIESOT on behalf of Kothelawala.

Gunawardena is indicted for fraud in the High Court with Cecile Kothelwala the wife of Lalith Kothelawala still at large.

The efforts taken by the Police and Interpol to trace Cecile has also been questioned since she fled the country right after the collapse of Golden Key.

The moment the said fund was identified as an asset of Kothelawala by the Supreme Court and subsequently by a damning report of the Security and Exchange Commission, Peiris stepped down from the bench.

During the last hearing, the new  bench which comprises Justice Sripavan, Rohini Marasinghe and Justice Sisira de Abrew, there was indication that the entire matter would be transferred back to the District Court.

The indication has caused concern among depositors.

“After six years we have been left with nothing. We have put our lives savings in this and lost everything. Over 20 of us have committed suicide and the rest are suffering each day because the regulators faulted in their duty owed towards us and the public of this country. We expected justice and thats what we want” one depositor told Colombo Telegraph on the condition of anonymity.

The depositors further asserted that the repayment which was made thus far would also be questioned and fall into controversy if the Supreme Court decides to move the matter to the District Court.

“We walked in day in and day out to the highest court of this country after it decided to hear our case. It was here that we came for justice and its only the Supreme Court that could give us justice. Every order that was made resulted in us getting part of our monies back and we all thought that this nightmare would finally come to an end. The Chief Justice also told us that everything will be done by January next year but now after all this we are just lost. We only hope that sanity will prevail because the people of this country if not would completely lose faith in this judicial system and the regulatory system” they said.

The case is to be heard on September 19th.