NGO offers legal cover to ‘intimidated’ 

election staff Uva polls:

by Shamindra Ferdinando-September 18, 2014

Transparency International Sri Lanka has offered legal assistance to election staff in the event of any one of them being victimised in the run-up to the election or on the polling day itself.

The TI’s senior Communications Manager Shan Wijethunge told The Island that their legal arm, Shelter for Integrity was ready to provide legal assistance to anyone victimised for being impartial. Wijethunge said that Shelter for Integrity could be contacted on 0112513313 or via email help@tisrilanka.org.

The SLFP-led UPFA, the UNP, the JVP, retired General Sarath Fonseka’s Democratic Party as well as UPFA constituents, the SLMC and ACMC (under one banner) and the National Freedom Front (NFF) are contesting on their own. The major plantation party, the CWC has fielded candidates on the UPFA list.

Accusing the government of what he claimed were grave violations of election laws, Wijethunge asserted that the failure on the part of the Election Secretariat to intervene had led to the electorate losing faith in the electoral system.

Uva comprises Moneragala (3 electorates) and Badulla (9 electorates). The polling is scheduled to take place between 7 am and 4 pm tomorrow (20).

The TI emphasised that the Elections Commissioner, Mahinda Deshapriya and election staff should be independent and accountable for their actions.

The NGO warned that unless tangible measures were taken to prevent violence, the Uva PC polls would be like the infamous Wayamba PC election in 1999 on the then President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s watch.

Urging public officials to ensure a level playing field, the TI assured them protection regardless who the perpetrators were. The TI also emphasised the importance of the police performing their legitimate duties to minimise violence and malpractices.

Responding to the TI’s assurance to election staff, Additional Commissioner of Elections, R. M. A. L. Ratnayake told The Island that the Election Secretariat was responsible for the safety and security of those deployed on election duty by it.

Ratnayake said that the TI shouldn’t intervene as there was a procedure to follow in case of election staff being intimidated. The official estimated the number of polling staff expected to be deployed for the operation at 10,000. About 250 officials would be sent from Colombo, he said.

The TI also criticised the inauguration of development projects in the Uva Province by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the participation of some of his ministers as well as the use of public property as such actions had given an undue advantage to the ruling coalition.

Incompetent Wasanthi messes up Inland Revenue Dept!

Friday, 19 September 2014 

 

Acting commissioner general of the Inland Revenue Department Wasanthi Manchanayake is messing up and taking the administration of the institution from bad to worse, say its trade unions.

Wasanthi was appointed to the position on the strength of her politics following the retirement of her successor. Since her position has not yet been approved by the cabinet, she is functioning on an acting capacity. Wasanthi was appointed to the position by undercutting several of her seniors and signs documents as the commissioner general of inland revenue.

Following our exposure about this with documentary evidence, she now signs documents with her designation as the acting commissioner general.

In an indication of her incompetence, TUs point out several messing ups by Wasanthi.

Through the recent services constitution amendment, tax officers had been promoted as assistant commissioners. Those promotions were granted only to senior tax officers. Following their promotion, they refuse to make valuations, saying that does not come under their duties any more. These duties are now being transferred to management assistants. At present, the department has only a few management assistants.

This staff shortage has severely affected the department’s VAT section, as VAT refunds are piling up. This has severely affected Sri Lankan importers and exporters. As a result of this, Sri Lanka’s imports and exports sector is facing a severe collapse. Wasanthi has no experience to take action to bring calmness to the issue. Wasanthi has no knowledge at all. She gets into further trouble by trying to unravel one particular problem.

At the time she got the position, the revenue difference stood at Rs. 60, but it has been increased to Rs. 69 billion in a matter of several weeks. This is totally due to the inefficiency of the VAT division. If this situation continues in the coming week, there is a risk of a complete collapse of Sri Lanka’s import and export sectors, said the sources.

Master Sir, Why oh Why???

FRIDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2014  

The Minister of Power and Energy Pavithra Wanniarachchi had to come across a similar situation the Minister of Petroleum Industries Anura Priyadarshana Yapa was faced with recently. Minister Wanniarchchi had told a weekend newspaper last Sunday that electricity tariffs could not be reduced immediately after the second stage of the Norochcholai coal power plant is commissioned.

However, on the 16th an entirely opposite to what the Minister said occurred. The President declaring open the second stage of Norochcholai coal power plant said with the opening of the second stage people could be given relief and announced a reduction of 25% to the electricity bill.

The President’s sudden announcement, despite officials saying no relief could be given in the near future, indicates the reduction of the electricity tariffs has been carried out targeting the Uva PC election. The Minister’s answers to the questions asked by the journalist indicate that the reduction of electricity tariff was to be carried out only before the presidential election.

When the journalist asked what relief would the people get once the second stage of the power plant is declared open on the 16th the Minister says, “I can’t promise to reduce electricity charges immediately after the opening of the second stage. However, relief could be given to consumers in 2015.”

Related news: Fuel prices cannot be reduced haphazardly

India-China Border issue and the Modi-Xi talks


Written by: Col R Hariharan-Friday, September 19, 2014

[Here are the answers to two questions raised by an overseas newspaper on the future progress of India-China border issue after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping had formal talks for the first time on September 18, 2014.]

 1. How is the momentum for the border talks going after the statements by the two leaders? 

India-China Border Issue and the Modi-Xi Talks by Thavam

ISIS Publishes Video Of Captive British Journalist John Cantlie

( September 19, 2014, Moscow, Sri Lanka Guardian) IS has released a haunting video allegedly showing British journalist John Cantlie, who was kidnapped by ISIS in Syria in November 2012.

A former reporter for The Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph, Cantlie sits at a table wearing an orange shirt and describes how he will dispel “manipulated truths” told by the Western media.

The video appears to be part of a targeted IS propaganda campaign using gruesome videos of Western hostages to convey the militant group’s message.

In what appears to be a rehearsed, scripted speech, Cantlie says: “I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking ‘he’s only doing this because he’s a prisoner – he’s got a gun at his head and he’s being forced to do this.”

He said that he cannot deny that he is a prisoner, but since being “abandoned” by his government his fate now lies in the hands of Islamic State and he has “nothing to lose.”

Cantlie says he wants to take the opportunity to “convey some facts,” so that other lives can be saved.

A war with the Islamic State would be “yet another unwinnable conflict” - a reference to the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan.

“I’m going to show you the truth behind the systems and motivation of the Islamic State.”

Cantlie criticizes the US and UK governments for refusing to pay ransoms for their citizens. He says that while other European nations (including Spain and France) were willing to negotiate with IS to secure the release of their citizens, “the British and Americans were left behind.”

Washington and London, he adds, “thought they could do it differently to every other European country.”

At the end of the video Cantlie asks viewers to join him again for the next program – indicating that this video may be just the first of a series of propaganda clips featuring him.

The Islamic State’s media wing ‘Al-Furqan’ is thought to have released the video.

YouTube has since removed the video, because it is “a violation of YouTube’s policy on violence.”

To-date IS has released three gruesome videos showing the beheadings of US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker David Haines. The Islamic State has threatened to execute a fourth hostage, British aid worker Alan Hennings.- RT

India caps prices of 36 more drugs to improve access - government official

Various medicine pills in their original packaging are seen in Ljubljana February 14, 2012.

BY ADITYA KALRA AND ZEBA SIDDIQUI-NEW DELHI/MUMBAI Fri Sep 19, 2014

(Reuters) - India has capped the prices of 36 drugs, including those used to treat infections and diabetes, in its latest move to make essential medicines more affordable, a senior official of the country's drug pricing authority told Reuters on Friday.
India Caps Prices of 36 More Drugs to Improve Access - Government Official by Thavam

This Is What a Leader Looks Like

Why Marina Silva’s message resonates from the Amazon to the Middle East to the White House.

• BY DAVID J. ROTHKOPF-SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Hope and strong leadership are in short supply these days. But if you want a shot of both as well as a glimpse into a story that resonates worldwide, watch the following video. (It's in Portuguese. Beneath it is a translation into English that was prepared by theEconomist.) 

This is What a Leader Looks Like by Thavam

Malaysian activist Adam Adli sentenced to 1 year in jail for sedition

Activist Adam Adli, left, smiles before being released on bail at a court house in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last year. Pic: AP.

By Asian Correspondent Sep 19, 2014

A Malaysian court has sentenced an activist to a year in jail for remarks made at a forum last year that the court said could have incited the public to overthrow the government through street protests.

Adam Adli on Friday became the latest person to be convicted under the Sedition Act, a colonial-era law that activists say is used by the government to curb democratic dissent. Sedition as defined by the law includes promoting hatred against the government.

(MORE: Malaysian govt uses sedition law to silence critics)

In May 2013, just days after the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition retained power in a controversial general election, Adam was charged with making seditious statements that included calling for people to “go down to the streets to seize back our power” while addressing a political forum.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said Adam was the latest victim of a “sustained assault” against freedom of expression, adding Malaysia was on a slippery slope to authoritarian rule. At least 14 people have been charged under the law since last year, with one person sentenced to 10 months in jail.

Adam was released on bail today pending an appeal. The Malay Mail Online reports:

“We have obtained a stay order on the basis that we will be appealing against the sentence and conviction,” Adam’s lawyer, Latheefa Koya, told reporters outside the courtroom.

Adam seemed unfazed by Friday’s hearing, describing the decision as a “fiasco” in one tweet:

Adam Adli @AdamAdli

Follow

Dear friends, thanks for all the supports! Will be released in no time. :) #MansuhAktaHasutan

10:47 PM - 18 Sep 2014

Adam Adli @AdamAdli

Follow

Despite the morning fiasco, i'm not going to skip my evening lecture today. Ngee.

11:02 PM - 18 Sep 2014

Additional reporting by Associated Press

Putin considers plan to unplug Russia from the internet 'in an emergency'

Kremlin to discuss taking control of the .ru domain and measures to disconnect Russians from the web in the event of unrest

Russian president Vladimir Putin chairs a state council meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow. Photograph: Alexei Nikolsky/AP

Luke Harding and agencies in Moscow

Friday 19 September 2014 

The Kremlin is considering radical plans to unplug Russia from the globalinternet in the event of a serious military confrontation or big anti-government protests at home, Russian officials hinted on Friday.

President Vladimir Putin will convene a meeting of his security council on Monday. It will discuss what steps Moscow might take to disconnect Russian citizens from the web "in an emergency", the Vedomosti newspaper reported. The goal would be to strengthen Russia's sovereignty in cyberspace. The proposals could also bring the domain .ru under state control, it suggested.

Russian TV and most of the country's newspapers are under the Kremlin's thumb. But unlike in China, the Russian internet has so far remained a comparatively open place for discussion, albeit one contested by state-sponsored bloggers and Putin fans.

The move comes at a time when Russia has been bitterly critical of the western media, which Moscow says has adopted a biased attitude towards events in Ukraine. Russian channels have portrayed the conflict in Ukraine as a heroic fight against "fascists" in Kiev. They have disputed western reports that Russian soldiers and heavy weapons are involved. A BBC team that went to investigate reports of Russian servicemen killed in Ukraine was beaten up this week.

According to Vedomosti, Russia plans to introduce the new measures early next year. The Kremlin has been wrestling for some time with how to reduce Russia's dependency on American technology and digital infrastructure, amid fears that its communications are vulnerable to US spying. It has mooted building a "national internet", which would in effect be a domestic intranet. These proposals go further, expanding the government's control over ordinary Russian internet users and their digital habits.

Andrei Soldatov, an expert on Russia's spy agencies, described the plans as big news. In an email from Moscow he said he "didn't actually believe" Russian officials would disconnect the internet. But he said the moves were a "real step forward in the development of a besieged fortress mentality".

He wrote: "Before, such ideas were mostly to do with so-called government communications (how to make them independent from western technologies). Now they want to expand this crazy idea to the entire internet of the country."

Soldatov said it would be technically possible for Moscow to shut off the internet because Russia has "surprisingly few" international exchange points. All of them are under the control of national long-distance operations, like Rostelecom, which are close to the authorities, he said.

The most ominous element, he added, was the security council's apparent proposal to take control over .ru, as well as the domains .su (for Soviet Union) and .рф (Russian Federation in Cyrillic). These domains currently belong to a non-government organisation, the coordination centre of the national domain, rather than to government. Many are currently hosted abroad.

"The thing might be approved very quickly, and this means it shows a way to the next step – to force all domains in the .ru zone to be hosted in Russia," Soldatov said. Kazakhstan, an authoritarian state intolerant of online criticism, did something similar two years ago, he said, adding that such a move would affect his own website Agentura.ru, which is hosted in Germany.

Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed the meeting would take place on Monday, adding that much of it was likely to be in closed session. The communications ministry declined to comment on Friday.

While Putin enjoys popular support, with his approval ratings boosted by Russia's takeover of Crimea from Ukraine in March, the danger of mass unrest is not lost on the Kremlin. In 2011-2012 tens of thousands of Russians protested in Moscow after Putin announced he was returning as president and shoving aside his temporary successor Dmitry Medvedev. The protests fizzled out following a series of arrests, harassment of opposition figures, and high-profile trials.

The Russian economy, which is already teetering on the verge of recession, is reeling from ever more stringent Western sanctions over Moscow's alleged support for separatists in eastern-Ukraine. Washington and Brussels have introduced several rounds of sanctions that are the toughest punitive measures since the cold war.

An employee of a large communications provider told Vedomosti Moscow did not want to unplug the world wide web but to protect Russian cyberspace in case of further western sanctions that may affect the internet.

Ukrainian President in US Congress: Poroshenko makes emotional plea for greater military aid

Published on Sep 18, 2014

Petro Poroshenko asked US to authorise military equipment for Ukrainian forces, and said ‘one cannot win the war with blankets’
Poroshenko’s appeal for greater US support was warmly met on Capitol Hill, where he received numerous standing ovations during an address lasting nearly an hour.

White House rebuffs Ukraine appeal for weapons

5:17 p.m. EDT September 18, 2014
WASHINGTON — The White House refused to include weapons in an aid package announced Thursday for embattled Ukraine despite an impassioned plea by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for more military assistance.

The Obama administration is providing $46 million in non-lethal security assistance and $7 million for relief organizations providing humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians affected by the conflict between government forces and Russian-backed separatists in the eastern region.

The White House announcement came shortly after Poroshenko stood before a joint session of Congress and pleaded for more political support and military equipment beyond the non-lethal aid the United States has pledged.

Poroshenko said blankets and night-vision goggles from the USA are important, "but one cannot win a war with blankets!"

What the White House offered was a military aid package that will provide body armor, helmets, vehicles, night and thermal vision devices, advanced radios, patrol boats, counter-mortar radars, rations, tents and uniforms. U.S. military and civilian advisers will help Ukraine improve its defense capacity, the White House said.

The new aid brings the total U.S. assistance package for Ukraine to $291 million, plus a $1 billion loan guarantee. The Obama administration has refused to provide lethal aid for fear of escalating tensions.

In his address to Congress, where he was greeted with warm applause, Poroshenko said his country seeks continued U.S. diplomatic and economic support, including additional sanctions, to help Ukraine regain the Crimean Peninsula from Russia.

The United States and European Union have imposed several rounds of economic sanctions on Moscow in response to Russia's seizure of Crimea and intervention in the separatist rebellion along its border with eastern Ukraine.

Poroshenko said Russia set off a conflict with wide-ranging implications when it seized Crimea in violation of an agreement to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity in exchange for the former Soviet republic's agreement to relinquish its once-sizable nuclear arsenal.

"With just one move, the world has been thrown back in time — to a reality of territorial claims, zones of influence, criminal aggression and annexations," he said. "The postwar international system of checks and balances was effectively ruined."

This was the first address to Congress by Poroshenko, who was voted into office in May amid the separatist rebellion that Ukraine, NATO and the United States say was fomented and supported by Russia. Russia denies the allegations.

Poroshenko accepted a cease-fire Sept. 5 that was based in large part on a plan laid out by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine and NATO contend that Putin sent forces and weapons into eastern Ukraine last month as Ukrainian forces appeared poised to overtake separatists' last two bastions in the cities of Luhansk and Donetsk.

As those strongholds remained in the separatists' control, Poroshenko agreed to grant autonomy to the region in return for peace. Sporadic fighting, however, continues between the rebels and Ukrainian forces.

Poroshenko said he wants peace and is willing to do what it takes to achieve it. "I am ready to offer those who live in (separatist areas) more rights than any part of Ukraine has ever had in the history of the nation," he said. "I am ready to discuss anything, except one thing, Ukraine's dismemberment."

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said after Poroshenko's speech that he supports Ukraine's request for defensive weapons, such as anti-tank systems, but the timing should depend on "what's happening on the ground and negotiation."

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said the United States should have given lethal aid to Ukraine "when the Russians had 40,000 troops on the border, before they ever came into eastern Ukraine."

Alex Salmond to resign after referendum defeat

Alex Salmond announces his resignation as Scotland's first minister and SNP leader after failing to achieve a yes vote in the independence referendum.

FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2014
Following the 55-45 per cent defeat for Yes Scotland, Alex Salmond said in Edinburgh: "I am immensely proud of the campaign which Yes Scotland fought and of the 1.6 million voters who rallied to that cause by backing an independent Scotland.

"I am also proud of the 85 per cent turnout in the referendum and the remarkable response of all of the people of Scotland who participated in this great constitutional debate and the manner in which they conducted themselves.

"We now have the opportunity to hold Westminster's feet to the fire on the 'vow' that they have made to devolve further meaningful power to Scotland. This places Scotland in a very strong position."

'Redolent with possibility'

Mr Salmond, 59, who has served 20 years as SNP leader, said "in this new exciting situation, redolent with possibility", Scotland would benefit from new leadership.

He said he would not accept the nomination as leader of the Scottish National Party at its annual conference in November and that he would then resign as first minister. "After the membership ballot, I will stand down as first minister to allow the new leader to be elected."

He told Channel 4 News Presenter Jon Snow: "I've no intention of retiring from Scottish politics. I continue to believe in Scottish independence. I shall continue to do everything to contribute to that cause."

Mr Salmond said he would continue as MSP for Aberdeenshire East, adding: "It has been the privilege of my life to serve Scotland as first minister. But as I said often during the referendum campaign, this is not about me or the SNP. It is much more important than that.

"The position is this. We lost the referendum vote, but can still carry the political initiative. More importantly, Scotland can still emerge as the real winner."

'Second to none'

SNP Deputy Leader Nicola Sturgeon said Mr Salmond's political achievements were "second to none", while she owed him a "personal debt of gratitude".

She added: "Alex's announcement today inevitably raises the question of whether I will be a candidate to succeed him as SNP leader. I can think of no greater privilege than to seek to lead the party I joined when I was just 16. However, that decision is not for today.

INFOGRAPHIC: Military Presence in the North of Sri Lanka

Published on September 18, 2014 by Centre for Policy Alternatives

Five years since the end of the war, a significant military presence still remains in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. This despite repeated assurances by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) that the military presence is, and will be phased out in order to pave way for post-war reconciliation efforts. In a context of increased militarization, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) highlights the numerous statements made by Government officials regarding the varying numbers pertaining to the apparent reduction of forces. The contradictions in the actual situation are highlighted by the statements made by President Rajapaksa, who in January 2014 claimed that there was a presence of 12,000 military personnel in the North with Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President claiming only two days later, the presence of 80,000 military personnel in the North.

Additionally, the GoSL is in the practice of acquiring swathes of private land in both the Northern and Eastern Provinces, claiming it is for military use. In November 2013, CPA published a policy brief flagging these disturbing trends in land acquisition which amount to land grabs. CPA has also highlighted the disturbing trend of acquiring private land under the guise of a “public purpose”. Increasing evidencesuggests that private land acquired for military use, is in fact given out for commercial ventures.

For more information on CPA’s research on land in the Northern province see here.

Military Presence in the North by Thavam

Military Presence in the North by Thavam

Download PDF of this info graphic or high resolution JPG.

As Sri Lanka Bans Investigators, Ban's UN As "Reconciliation" Ground Cover?By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, September 16 -- While the UN Human Rights Council panel says it will be investigating Sri Lanka war crimes, the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa has said it will no allow those investigators in. 

As Sri Lanka Bans Investigators, Ban's UN as Reconciliation Ground Cover by Thavam