தமிழ் மக்களுடைய பிரச்சினைக்கு அடுத்த வருடத்துக்குள் தீர்வை எட்ட முயற்சிக்க வேண்டும்:சம்பந்தன்

2014-09-26 11:50:19 | Leftinraj

ந.லெப்டின்ராஜ்
சர்வதேச சமூகத்தினுடைய ஆதரவை நாங்கள் தக்கவைத்துக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். அதை நாங்கள் ஒருபோதும் இழக்க முடியாது. இந்தப்பிரச்சினை தொடர முடியாது. இன்று அரசாங்கம் நினைக்கின்றது வடகிழக்கினுடைய இன விகிதாசாரத்தினை மேலும் மாற்றியமைத்து அங்கே உள்ள மொழி ரீதியான கலாசார ரீதியான அடையாளங்களை அகற்றி இல்லாமல் செய்து மாற்றியமைத்தால் ஒரு பத்து வருடங்களுக்குப் பின்பு இனப்பிரச்சினை இல்லை என்று தாம் கூறலாம் என்று என்று தெரிவித்த தமிழ் தேசிய கூட்டமைப்பின் தலைவர் இரா சம்பந்தன் பிரச்சினைக்கு ஒரு நிரந்தரமான முடிவை நாங்கள் விரைவில் ஏற்படுத்த வேண்டும். மாவை சேனாதிராஜா தமிழரசுக் கட்சியினுடைய தலைவராக இருக்கின்ற பொழுது இயன்றளவுக்கு வருகின்ற வருடத்துக்குள் இந்தப் பிரச்சினைக்கு நாங்கள் ஒரு முடிவைக் காண்பதற்கு முயற்சிக்க வேண்டும் என்றும் தெரிவித்தார்.

கொழும்பில் இடம்பெற்ற கூட்டம் ஒன்றில் பேசும் போதே அவர் இவ்வாறு தெரிவித்தார்.

எமது பலம் எமது மக்கள். எமது உரிமைப் போராட்டம் ஆரம்பித்த காலம் தொடக்கம் எமது மக்கள் தமது உறுதியான நிலைப்பாட்டை ஒவ்வொரு சந்தர்ப்பத்திலும் நிரூபித்திருக்கிறார்கள். எமது மக்கள் பலவிதமான துன்ப, துயரங்களை எதிர்நோக்கி இருக்கிறார்கள். ஆனால், எமது மக்கள் அடிபணியவில்லை. காரணம் என்னவென்றால், அவர்கள் ஒரு தனித்துவமான மக்கள், பெரும் பாரம்பரியத்தைக் கொண்ட மக்கள்,
தங்களுடைய சொந்த மொழியைக் கொண்ட மக்கள், சொந்த கலாசாரத்தைக் கொண்ட மக்கள், இந்த நாட்டில் ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட பிரதேசத்தில் நாட்டின் வடகிழக்கில் சரித்திரபூர்வமாக வாழ்ந்து வந்திருக்கிறார்கள். அவர்கள் ஒரு தனித்துவமான மக்கள், அந்தத் தனித்துவத்தினுடைய பெறுமதியையும் பெருமையையும் அந்த மக்கள் உணருகிறார்கள்.

இந்த நாட்டில் வாழுகின்ற பெரும்பான்மையின மக்கள் எவ்விதமாக ஒரு தனித்துவமான மக்களாக இருக்கிறார்களோ, தங்களுடைய தனி மொழியுடன், தனிக்கலாசாரத்துடன், தனிப் பாரம்பரியத்துடன் வாழ்கிறார்களோ அவ்விதமாக தமிழ் மக்களும் இந்த நாட்டில் வாழ வேண்டும்.

அரசியல் ரீதியான போராட்டம், சாத்வீக ரீதியான போராட்டம், ஆயுதப் போராட்டம் என நீடித்த எமது போராட்டம், ஆயுதப் போராட்டம் நிறைவடைந்து ஐந்து வருடங்கள் கடந்துவிட்ட நிலையில், பகிர்ந்தளிக்கப்படுகின்ற இறைமையின் அடிப்படையில், போதியளவிலான அதிகாரப்பகிர்வுடன் எமது அரசியல் ரீதியிலான, பொருளாதார ரீதியிலான கலாசார – சமூக ரீதியிலான அபிலாஷைகளை, தேவைகளை நாங்களே முடிவெடுத்து நாங்கள் நிறைவேற்றக்கூடிய ஒரு அரசியல் தீர்வு வேண்டுமென்றே நாம் தற்போது கேட்கின்றோம். இது நியாயமான கோரிக்கை.

ஜனாதிபதி கூறுகிறார் எமக்கு பொலிஸ் அதிகாரம் தரமுடியாது என்று. எமக்கு பொலிஸ் அதிகாரம் தரப்பட்டால் அதனை நாம் பக்குவமாகப் பயன்படுத்துவோம். அரசாங்கத்தைப் பார்க்க நாம் திறமையாக வழிநடத்துவோம்.

தொடர்ந்து அநீதிகள் ஒரு மக்களுக்கு இழைக்கப்பட முடியாது. தொடர்ந்து ஒரு மக்கள் விரட்டியடிக்கப்பட முடியாது. தொடர்ந்து ஒரு மக்கள் இரண்டாம் பிரஜைகளாக வாழ முடியாது, மக்கள் சமத்துவமாக சமமாக வாழ வேண்டும். கௌரவமாக வாழ வேண்டும். பாதுகாப்பாக வாழ வேண்டும். சுயமரியாதையுடன் வாழ வேண்டும். அவற்றை அடையக்கூடிய விதத்தில் அவர்களுக:;கு அதிகாரங்கள் பகிர்ந்தளிக்கப்பட வேண்டும். அதனைச் செய்ய வேண்டும் என சர்வதேச சமூகம் வலியுறுத்துகின்றது.

ஒரு மக்களுடைய மனித உரிமைகள் பாதுகாக்கப்பட வேண்டும். சர்வதேச மனிதாபிமானச் சட்டங்கள், சர்வதேச மனித உரிமைச் சட்டங்கள் மீறப்பட்டிருந்தால் அவை சம்பந்தமாக பக்கச்சார்பற்ற சுதந்திரமான விசாரணை நடைபெற வேண்டும். உள்நாட்டு விசாரணை நடைபெறாத நிமித்தம் ஏறத்தாழ நான்கு வருடங்களுக்குப் பின்னர் ஒரு சர்வதேச விசாரணை நடைபெறுகின்றது. இந்த நிலைமையில்தான் நாம் தற்போது இருக்கின்றோம்.

எமது மக்களுடைய உறுதித்தன்மை, எமது மக்கள் தங்களுடைய நிலைப்பாட்டில் திடமாக இருந்தமை அவர்களுக்கு பலத்தைத் தரக்கூடிய ஒரு சூழலை இன்று ஏற்படுத்தியிருக்கிறது. நாம் எல்லோரும் ஒற்றுமையாக இருக்க வேண்டும். நாம் ஒற்றுமையாக இந்தக் கருமங்களை ஆற்ற வேண்டும். நாம் நிதானமாகச் செயல்பட வேண்டும்.

ஒரு சாத்வீகப் போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட நாம் முடிவெடுத்தால் நாம் மிகவும் பக்குவமாக – நிதானமாக எவ்விதமான வன்முறையும் இல்லாமல் அதனை நாம் முன்னெடுக்க வேண்டும். அவ்விதமாக நாம் முன்னெடுப்போமாக இருந்தால் சர்வதேச சமூகம் நூற்றுக்கு நூறு வீதம் எம் பின்னால் நிற்கும். இதனை நான் ஏன் கூறுகின்றேன் என்றால், பிரதமர் மோடியைச் சந்தித்த பின் நான்விடைபெற்ற பொழுது அவர் எங்களுக்குக் கூறிய கருத்து, நாங்கள் உங்களுடன் நூற்றுக்கு நூறு வீதம் நிற்கின்றோம் என்று கூறினார்.

இதை எமது மக்கள் புரிந்து கொள்ளவேண்டும். ஏனைய மக்களையும் நாம் எங்களுடன் சேர்க்க வேண்டும். சிங்கள மக்கள் மத்தியில் உள்ள முற்போக்குச் சக்திகளை நாங்கள் எம்முடன் சேர்த்துக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். அவர்களுக்கு எங்களுடைய கருமங்களை விளக்க வேண்டும். அவர்களுடைய ஆதரவை நாங்கள் பெற வேண்டும்.

ஆகவே, உண்மையை நாங்கள் பெரும்பான்மை முற்போக்குச் சக்திகளுக்கு விளக்க வேண்டும். அவர்களுடைய ஆதரவையும் பெற வேண்டும். இஸ்லாமிய சகோதரர்களின் ஆதரவையும் நாம் பெற வேண்டும். அவர்களும் நாங்களும் வடகிழக்கில் சரித்திர ரீதியாக வாழ்ந்து வந்திருக்கிறோம். நூங்கள் தொடர்ந்து கௌரவமாக பாதுகாப்பாக வாழ வேண்டும். எங்கள் மத்தியில் ஒற்றுமை இருக்க வேண்டியது அத்தியாவசியம்.

சர்வதேச சமூகத்தினுடைய ஆதரவை நாங்கள் தக்கவைத்துக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். அதை நாங்கள் ஒருபோதும் இழக்க முடியாது. இந்தப்பிரச்சினை தொடர முடியாது. இன்று அரசாங்கம் நினைக்கின்றது வடகிழக்கினுடைய இன விகிதாசாரத்தினை மேலும் மாற்றியமைத்து அங்கே உள்ள மொழி ரீதியான கலாசார ரீதியான அடையாளங்களை அகற்றி இல்லாமல் செய்து மாற்றியமைத்தால் ஒரு பத்து வருடங்களுக்குப் பின்பு இனப்பிரச்சினை இல்லை என்று தாம் கூறலாம் என்று நினைக்கிறார்கள்.

ஆதலால், இந்தப் பிரச்சினைக்கு ஒரு நிரந்தரமான முடிவை நாங்கள் விரைவில் ஏற்படுத்த வேண்டும். தம்பி மாவை சேனாதிராஜா அவர்கள் தமிழரசுக் கட்சியினுடைய தலைவராக இருக்கின்ற பொழுது இயன்றளவுக்கு வருகின்ற வருடத்துக்குள் இந்தப் பிரச்சினைக்கு நாங்கள் ஒரு முடிவைக் காண்பதற்கு நாங்கள் முயற்சிக்க வேண்டும். நாங்கள் ஒருமித்து ஒன்றாகச் செயல்பட வேண்டும். 

Tamils denied of observing collective remembrance in Batticaloa

26/09/2014

[Remembrance is a taboo for Tamils in Sri Lanka]

Sri Lankan Police in Batticaloa has been harassing the families of the victims of 1990 Puthukkudiyiruppu massacre on Sunday when they gathered to observe the annual memorial event in front of the statue of 17 civilians who were slain by ‘homeguards’ paramilitary operated by the Sri Lankan military in 1990.
Tamil Councillor K. Thurairajasingam, who was present at the event with parliamentarians P. Selvarasa and P. Ariyanethiran blames that the SL Police was blocking the peaceful event with a court order from an Acting Magistrate. This is the second incident in recent days where the SL Police, under false charges of ‘causing disturbance to peace’, has blocked the kith and kin of the victims of the past massacres from paying tribute to their slain victims by lighting candles together.

The people had gathered with Tamil National Alliance politicians on Sunday. As soon as the people gathered, Sri Lankan Police constables were deployed at the site. They were wandering around the location, causing disturbance in the minds of the people, who had gathered there as they have been doing throughout the past 23 years.

When the people started to light candles at the memorial site, SL police officials interrupted and instructed the people to find a temple to light their candles in memory of the slain victims.

The SL police officers had a court order, which they had obtained from Acting Magistrate M. Noordeen. The court order was against Mr Varatharajan, who is the son of one of the slain 17 victims of the brutal massacre.

Later, when the people gathered at a nearby temple, riot control police was deployed intimidating the people, Mr Thurairajasingam said.

The 17 victims were slain by the homeguards, who used swords and knives to brutally kill the 17 Tamils at Puthukkudiyiruppu.

The SL police had also blocked a similar memorial event on 09 September at Chaththuruk-ko’ndaan, where 184 Tamil villagers were brutally slain by the Sri Lanka Army in 1990.

ஐ. நாவில் அருட்தந்தை இமானுவேல் ஆற்றிய உரை

[ வெள்ளிக்கிழமை, 26 செப்ரெம்பர் 2014, 09:21.27 AM GMT ]

போரில் வெற்றியடைந்த பின் இலங்கை ஜனாதிபதி மகிந்த ராஜபக்ஷ,  இனப்பிரச்சினைக்கு துரித அரசியல் தீர்வுகாணப்படும் எனவும் நல்லிணக்க செயற்பாடுகள் முன்னெடுக்கப்படும் எனவும் ஐ.நா செயலாளர் நாயகத்திடம் உறுதியளித்திருந்தாக உலக தமிழர் பேரவையின் தலைவர் அருட் தந்தை இமானுவேல் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

எனினும் துரதிஷ்டவசமாக இலங்கை அரசாங்கம் குறிப்பாக வடக்கு கிழக்கில், கடந்த 5 வருடங்களில் மனித உரிமை மீறல்களை அதிகரித்துள்ளது எனவும் அவர் கூறியுள்ளார்.

ஐ.நா மனித உரிமை பேரவையில் நேற்று உரையாற்றும் போதே அவர் இதனை கூறியுள்ளார்.

இலங்கையில் சிறுபான்மை மதங்களுக்கு எதிராக அரசாங்கம் அடிப்படைவாத குழுக்களை பயன்படுத்தி வருகிறது எனவும் அருட் தந்தை குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.

அவர் ஆற்றிய உரை வருமாறு:

பாப்பரசரை பாவித்து ராஜபக்ச அரசியல் லாபம் அடையலாம்: அருட் தந்தை இமானுவேல்

ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் சபையின் 27 வது கூட்டத் தொடர் நியூயோர்க்கில் நடைபெற்றுக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றது. இதில் கலந்து கொண்ட  உலகத் தமிழர் பேரமைப்பின் தலைவர் இமானுவேல் அடிகளார் லங்காசிறி வானொலியின் பிரத்தியேக பேட்டியில் பங்கேற்றார்.

கிறிஸ்தவர்கள் இனங்களுக்கிடையில் உள்ள நல்லிணக்கத்தினை உருவாக்குவதற்கு முயற்சிப்பவர்கள் இதன் காரணமாக இலங்கை திருச்சபை தமிழ் மக்களை பிரதிநிதித்துவப்படுத்தி ஐ நா வில் குற்றச்சாட்டுக்களை முன் வைக்கவில்லை என  அருட் தந்தை இமானுவேல் அடிகளார் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

அவர் மேலும் தெரிவித்ததாவது,

• ஐ.நா மனித உரிமைகள் சபையில் காட்டமான அறிக்கை! ஏற்க மறுக்கும் இலங்கை 
• 13வது திருத்தம் தொடர்பில் இலங்கைக்கு தொடர்ந்தும் அழுத்தம்: ஐ.நாவில் இந்தியா 
• இலங்கையின் மனிதஉரிமை விவகாரம் தொடர்பில் ஜெனிவாவில் பிளவு 
• ஐ. நா இலங்கை தொடர்பில் தாக்கல் செய்த அறிக்கை முன்னேற்றகரமானது: பா. ம.க. சட்ட உறுப்பினர் கணேஸ் 
• எமது பிரச்சினைகளை வெளிக்கொண்டுவரும் ஆவணமாக வாய்மொழி மூல அறிக்கை உள்ளது: கஜேந்திரகுமார் 
• ராஜபக்சவைக் கையாள்வது மேற்குலகத்திற்கு பெரிய விடயமல்ல: ச.வி.கிருபாகரன்
• இலங்கை ஒரு இக்கட்டான நிலைமைக்குள் தள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளது: பிரித்தானிய தமிழர் பேரவை
• ஐ.நாவின் வாய்மூல அறிக்கை தமிழர்களுக்கு தீர்வு கிடைக்க சரியான பாதையை அமைக்கும்: ஹரி ஆனந்தசங்கரி

இலங்கை ஒரு இக்கட்டான நிலைமைக்குள் தள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளது: பிரித்தானிய தமிழர் பேரவை 

ராஜபக்சவைக் கையாள்வது மேற்குலகத்திற்கு பெரிய விடயமல்ல: ச.வி.கிருபாகரன்

எமது பிரச்சினைகளை வெளிக்கொண்டுவரும் ஆவணமாக வாய்மொழி மூல அறிக்கை உள்ளது: கஜேந்திரகுமார்

ஐ. நா இலங்கை தொடர்பில் தாக்கல் செய்த அறிக்கை முன்னேற்றகரமானது:  பா. ம.க. சட்ட உறுப்பினர் கணேஸ்

ஐ.நாவின் வாய்மூல அறிக்கை தமிழர்களுக்கு தீர்வு கிடைக்க சரியான பாதையை அமைக்கும்: ஹரி ஆனந்தசங்கரி

UNHRC Raises Concern Over Proceedings Of The Disappearances Commission

September 26, 2014 

The UN Human Rights Council today raised concerns over the proceedings of the Presdential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons during the oral update delivered on the probe on Sri Lanka (OISL) led by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Flavia Pansieri

UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Flavia Pansieri in the oral update delivered before the Council today stated that independant observers have raised concerns with the line of questioning by the Commissioners and the Council, the quality of translation services and the lack of counselling support to the victims.

She also noted the concerns raised by families of the disappearances on the reported harassment and pressure by Police, military and the intelligence prior to and at the time of the hearing.

Pansieri in her statement also commented on the disregard of the Government of Sri Lanka so far, with concern to the requests made by the OHCHR to publish reports of other domestic investigation.

Meanwhile she also expressed her regret over the Government’sposition speficially on the US-led resolution against Sri Lanka that was mandated in March and reitered the UNHRC call to encourage the government to keepits channels open, pointing out that the investigation is a unique opprtunity to establish an accountability process in the country.

During the oral update, Pansieri also raised concerns over the threats that have been levelled at civil society groups, human rights defenders and victims and organisations including those engaged with the international investigation, stating such intimidations are ‘deplorable’.

She went on to state that this climate of intimidation and threats prevailing in the country also constitutes a real challenge for the investigation mandated by the UNHRC and also undermines prospects for Sri Lanka’s own domestic investigation where it has long been a concern.

Meanwhile, responding to the oral update, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva,Ravinatha Aryasinha accused the conduct of the probe as a ‘flawed process’ and stated therefore, Sri Lanka will not “help legitimize a flawed process and have a detrimental precedents established.”

Ambassador Aryasinha also said that the oral update delivered by Deputy High Commissioner Pansieri is ‘replete with accusations and unsubstantiated statistics’.

Speaking further he added, “with all the calamities and afflictions around us today, Sri Lanka is clearly not a situation that requires the urgent and immediate attention of this Council. Sri Lanka is continuing on a transformative journey in the interest of all the people of Sri Lanka. What Sri Lanka needs at this juncture is to be encouraged, and not impeded.”

Concern at Sri Lanka's rejection of OISL

25 September 2014

The European Union and several other countries have urged Sri Lanka to cooperate with the OHCHR Investigation into Sri Lanka, after the oral update by the UN human rights chief.

In their statement, the EU said it regrets the position of Sri Lanka not to cooperate with the investigation by OHCHR into alleged violations and abuses, urging the government to reconsider its position. The bloc also expressed concern at efforts to restrict activities of civil society in Sri Lanka, calling on the government to respect the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly, including by ensuring that individuals can engage with the UN mechanism, and ensure accountability for harassment and intimidation.

The EU added it “deplored” serious episodes of violence against religious groups, including Muslims, Christians and Hindus.UK concern at reprisals The United Kingdom aligned itself with the EU statement, welcoming the update by the high commissioner and expressing its strong support for the OISL. The UK expressed concern at reports of reprisals against those who cooperated with the OISL, and noted that no prosecutions had been brought against those responsible for the anti-Mulsim violence in June, despite President Rajapaksa’s promise to bring perpetrators to justice.India calls for withdrawal of military from North India in its statement to the council noted with concern that the High Commissioner did not say how the OHCHR will take the OISL forward, given that Sri Lanka is not cooperating.

India called on Sri Lanka for timely implementation of the LLRC and to continue to use the recommendations of the commission as a basis for reconciliation, including the return of private land and the withdrawal of the military from the Northern Province.

It urged a political solution that respects the aspirations of the Tamil community, built upon the 13th Amendment, adding that early reconciliation and a political solution will prepare the ground for further investigation at the satisfaction of both parties.

Pakistan targets "LTTE elements" in other countries

Pakistan expressed its view that for a fruitful outcome of country specific resolutions at the Human Rights Council, it will need the full support of the concerned country. The resolution on Sri Lanka was an exception that must not be quoted as a precedent for the future work of council. Pakistan commended Sri Lanka’s efforts, adding that the international community needs to appreciate Sri Lanka rather than punish it for rooting out terrorism. It further called upon countries sheltering and facilitating “former elements of the LTTE”, to ensure that this is not allowed to impede Sri Lanka.

China said in its address that the primary responsibility of human rights lies with the government in question and it was the duty of the international community to only provide assistance when a government requests this. Since end of conflict SL has devoted itself to national reconciliation and development, China said. Welcoming these developments, China expressed regret that these were not fully represented in the High Commissioner’s oral report. China pointed out that Sri Lanka received the Special Rapporteur on migrant workers and called on the international community to support national reconciliation efforts.

Canada dismayed at refusal of OISL team

The Canadian mission thanked the OHCHR and OISL for its important work and said it shares many of the concerns expressed in the High Commissioner’s report. Canada expressed great concern at the continuing reports of stifling of civil society efforts and said it deeply regrets Sri Lanka’s continuing unwillingness to cooperate with the investigation. Although Canada is dismayed by the refusal to allow the investigation team access, it said it was encouraged that the OISL will continue despite that and that those wishing to submit evidence should be able to do so without fear of reprisals.

Montenegro, one of the sponsors of the resolution establishing the investigation, said it fully supports efforts for justice and reconciliation. Echoing the EU statement, Montenegro said it was imperative that the international community acts towards those goals. While taking note of the “important steps” made by Sri Lanka, it expressed concern at the vote by the parliament against the OISL.

Ireland said the investigation team has to be allowed to collect witness testimonies and that no one should be subject to reprisals, while the Philippines stressed the importance of timely accountability for reconciliation. Switzerland called on the Sri Lankan government to allow the Northern Provincial Council to fully function, noting that it was still not able to do so.

NORWEGIAN MEDIATION IN SRI LANKA: HARD LESSONS – ANALYSIS

By Keshab Giri-SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

The Sri Lankan civil war saw almost all types of mediation efforts ranging from manipulative military intervention to facilitative mediation acting as a postman between warring parties going astray. It’s compelling to look at the failure of the Norwegian mediation effort in the post-Cold War context when ‘liberal peace’ is the currency in the market of peace-making (Licklider, 2012: 287).
Norwegian Mediation in Sri Lanka Hard Lessons – Analysis by Thavam

Members Of The Cabinet Shall Not Be Members Of Parliament !

By Hema Senanayake -  September 26, 2014

Hema Senanayake

This is what UPFA parliamentarian Vasantha Senanayake proposes. “Think from the end.” This is what I like to do on certain things. When it comes to the subject of constitutional reforms I prefer to think from the end. What kind of government we want to have at the end? In this regard Wasantha’s proposal made me curious.

It seems that everybody wants to abolish the executive presidency.Chandrika promised to do it. Under Mahinda Chinthana the abolition of executive presidency has been envisioned. So called left political parties and JVP are for the abolition of it since the introduction of it. Finally, the UNP, which political party introduced the executive presidential system want to do away with it. All these sentiments have been well echoed by Ven.Maduluwave Sobitha recently and has said, “Whole country has rejected executive presidential system.”

Still I am not convinced. So is Vasantha Senanayake who is a great-grand-child of D.S. Senanayake. He is a Member of Parliament elected from Gampaha District under UPFA. He does want to retain the Executive Presidency but not in the current form. In this regard he has submitted a few important suggestions directly to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa too.

No one wants to abolish the executive branch of the government. Under any kind of reforms, the executive branch will prevail. But Vasantha Senanayake proposes to abolish any system in which the head of the executive branch could “purchase” opposition members of the legislature. While preserving the simple cross overs on policy reasons, the whole nation needs to prevent the head of state virtually buying opposition parliamentarians based on monetary or any other considerations.

Mere abolition of executive presidency will not achieve this goal. There is only one sensible way to do it; that is to abolish the system of appointing elected officials to Cabinet and other paid positions of the government. This means no member of parliament will be appointed to any Ministerial Position under the proposed system. This is the system the United State has.

Accordingly, Vasantha Senanayake proposes as follows:

“Members of the Cabinet shall not be members of Parliament or any other legislative body/council, and shall not undertake any other employment. Any member of Parliament or other elected body who assumes a Cabinet portfolio shall ceases to be a member of such body” (Paragraph 3 under the section of “Executive” of Vasantha’s proposal).

How this works? Let us take an example from the United States. Formerly, Hillary Clinton was elected to the U.S. Senate from New York. Later she decided to take a Cabinet position in the executive branch of president Obama’s administration. In order to take up the Cabinet portfolio she had to resign from the Senate, which is an elected body.

With this arrangement the United States separates the legislature to be an independent branch of the government. Under our presidential system executive branch and the legislature are unified. Even under the parliamentary system the executive branch and the legislature remains unified if the Prime Minister can appoint the Cabinet from elected members of the Parliament. Under the Parliamentary system, we do not see any true separation of powers among the three branches of the government. This is where Vasantha Senanayake’s above proposal makes sense to me.

Vasantha has made a few more interesting points under his proposal for which our constitutional pundits should pay attention. Yet, I may limit this article only to the said point above and invite our intellectual writers to enlighten us as to why we want to unify the executive and legislature in a Parliamentary system or as to why we should not truly separate powers as proposed by Vasantha Senanayake.

Can Ranil Defeat Mahinda?

By P. Bertie Ranaweerage -September 26, 2014

Bertie Ranaweerage

There is no doubt the UNP will get stronger in the coming months due to its apparent unity and better performance at the Uva Provincial Council elections held recently. The billion dollar question is whether it will be strong enough to defeat the President at the Presidential Election in the event it is held before April in 2015.The latest AFP news story says the presidential Elections will be held in the first week of January next year

Since of late the President and the government have been getting ready to  face the future elections and win them again. A few  days ago it launched the distribution of at least one hundred thousand motor bicycles to selected government employees for a pittance. They have to pay less than one fourth of the price in the open market. Employees of recently established Divi Neguma Department and Grama Seva officers whose servicesare sought by ‘the common man’ were among the beneficiaries of the motor bicycles. No government in the past gave even a push bicycle to government  employees at such a concessionary price.Read More

“We have to defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa”

September 26, 2014

“We have to defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa,” says Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, asserting that the people in Uva have given a clear indication that the present regime can be easily defeated and therefore it is the responsibility of the Opposition to be united and fight to defeat the current leader.
In an interview with the Daily FT, Dissanayake points out that the power-hungry Rajapaksa family is desperate for another term in office since they are not willing to give up on the lavish life they are currently enjoying. “There will be more violence and more abuse of power because the Rajapaksas’ future rides on this election,” he added.
Following are excerpts:

Q: What are your remarks about the recently held Uva provincial council election? 

“We Have to Defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa” by Thavam

Dr. Rajani Thiranagama Commemoration on 20th and 21st September 2014

I by Devanesan Nesiah - on 09/25/2014 

was a public servant when Rajani was assassinated by an LTTE agent 25 years ago. I took private leave, travelled to Jaffna at my own expense and participated in the 31st day Commemoration. She was a leading member of the UTHR (Jaffna branch) and coauthored, with Dr.Rajan Hoole, Dr. Daya Somasundaram and Dr. K.Sritharan, the monumental The Broken Palmyrah. She kept publicly exposing the Human Rights violations of the major armed groups at that time, viz, the LTTE, the Sri Lankan Army and the IPKF. She was killed while cycling home after work from the Jaffna Medical College. The Commemoration   included and exhibition of her extensive and varied personal library, and the numerous messages   received from those who had heard of her killing. Her library contained an amazingly rich collection books and journals, including many on Human Rights and the Social Science. Those who had sent messages included many from every continent and included Human Rights activists, Academics, Trade unionists and others whose life had been touched by her. There was also a march through Jaffna city by the participants despite attempts by LTTE to persuade the organizers to abundant it .

The organization then, as now was excellent and well publicized, attracting many from all over the Island as well as several distant countries. The state had initially withheld visas to the visitors from overseas but some of us intervened and all who wished to were able to participate. If the document displayed at that Commemoration could be reassembled it could form the basis for a Human Rights institution in Jaffna. There were persistent attempts by the LTTE to persuade the organizers to abandon the march, but the march went on. We passed groups of LTTE, the Sri Lankan Army and the IPKF all of whom glared at us but made no attempt to stop the march. The program went on as scheduled.

This time, 25 years later, there were basic changes in the circumstances. The LTTE is no more within Sri Lanka, the IPKF is gone, but the obstructions to the program were much more. The Vice Chancellor cancelled the booking of Kailasapathy Hall, effectively closing the university to the Commemoration; the Mayor cancelled the booking of the Jaffna Public Library; and the Police banned the march. It is over five years after the end of the war but those who had opposed the 31st day Commemoration 25 years ago seemed to oppose 25th year Commemoration even more vehemently and more effectively. Finally the entire commemoration moved into Trimmer Hall owned by the Methodist Church and, to a less extent, the family home of the Rajasingams.

Naturally, most of the participants were from Jaffna, but there were a few visitors from overseas. Even more salient were the large numbers of Sinhalese, Hill Country Tamils and Muslim participants, as well as Tamils settled elsewhere. There was a special bus for participants from Colombo, paid for by the passengers, but many others arranged their own transport at their own cost. The result was a happily diverse mix of around 200 participants. Clearly, every participant, now as 25 years earlier, had their lives directly or indirectly touched by Rajani. There were seminars, speeches, messages red out, and cultural programs. All three languages used with translations as appropriate. Only the march through the city was missed.

An unpleasant feature was the presence of few strangers, obviously neither participants nor journalists, who took photographs of the participants and recordings of the speeches and seminars. It was clear to everyone that they were security officers, though none of the proceedings were at all subversive.

One of the security officers informed Dayapala Thiranagama (widower of Rajani) that Dayapala was required to report to the local head of the army at Palaly. He reported, was questioned and released. At least one other person was mentioned as needed for questioning. It was expected that with the LTTE eliminated from the Island and the IPKF gone, the commemoration would go more smoothly than 25 years earlier.  It was not so. In Jaffna, as far as Democracy and Human Rights were concerned, there has clearly been regression, not progression. The elimination of the LTTE has ended the war but not led to more Democracy; and the withdrawal of the IPKF has not led to greater sovereignty for the people of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, The Terrorist The Traitor

By Muhammed Fazl -September 26, 2014 

Muhammed Fazl

While the Oxford dictionary defines the word ‘terrorism’ as “the unofficial or unauthorized use of violence & intimidation in the pursuit of political aims”and the word ‘terrorist’ as “a person who uses terrorism in the pursuit of political aims”, the Merriam-Webster dictionary gives a full definition to the word ‘traitor’ as the “one who betrays another’s trust or is false to an obligation or duty”.

The ignorant reader may wonder the relevance of my English lesson to Mr.Gotabaya Rajapaksa, but as a result of definitions above and the characteristics of our Secretary to the Ministry of Defence being so deeply intertwined, needless to say, life in modern day Sri Lanka has become more or less akin to that of Gestapo/Stasi Germany half a century ago. To be fair to the present regime, it should be mentioned that the state-sponsored fear psychosis has been in existence even during the tenure of Mr. Ranasinghe Premadasa’s presidency. 

Unlike in the past and since the mid nineties, when only empty rhetorical speeches were made by opposition parties in their resistance against the violent subjugation of masses and the plunder of economies, it would be insensate on the part of Mr. Gotabhaya and his gang of brothers should they trivialize the threat of a resurgent opposition alliance, led by the ‘never-say-die’ Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. In this context and considering the ‘blood ties’ factor, the need to examine the nexus between the Mahinda Rajapaksa government and the law enforcement machinery headed by Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa becomes exigent.Read More

Online hate speech stokes fear of religious violence in Sri Lanka

People walk past the burnt out remains of a shop following anti-Muslim riots in Aluthgama in June (Photo: ucanews.com)

• September 26, 2014

Hate speech is growing more effective and pervasive among media platforms in Sri Lanka, prompting concern from Muslim and Christian minorities amid mounting attacks. 

The Colombo-based Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) released a report this week on the challenges surrounding the significant uptick in online-based hate speech in post-war Sri Lanka.

“The growth of content creation and consumption online, wider and deeper than any other media in the country and at an accelerated pace, has also resulted in low risk, low cost and high impact online spaces to spread hate, harm and hurt against specific communities, individuals or ideas,” notes the report.

S.Y. Muhammad Saleem, a member of the administration committee of the Hairiya Jummaha mosque in Dambulla, said that anti-Muslim screeds on Facebook have led to multiple attacks on his mosque.

The latest attack was just last week when two petrol bombs were thrown into the mosque.

“Buddhist extremist groups campaign every day by saying Islamic extremists must be exterminated, and, if not, worse conflict could occur in the future,” he said. “[They say] ‘Muslims are dreaming of the day Sri Lanka turns into Arabia. We won’t give our country over to Muslims.’”

Saleem said he and other Muslims have received threats through Facebook, prompting him to file a police complaint.

“We respond on Facebook against their narrow views then we see 40-50 well organized reaction comments, slinging mud at us, from extremist Buddhists,” he said.

With a population of 21 million, there are more than 2.3 million users of social media, the majority of them male, according to the CPA report.

The Venerable Magalle Sudantha Thero, the head of Sinhala Rawaya, a radical Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist organization, said the organization has formed a special youth group to work on social media.

“We educate our Buddhists on ISIS and the global militant jihad over Facebook, there’s nothing wrong [with that],” the monk said.

“There are no Buddhist terrorists but [there are] Islamic terrorists in the world. We revealed the truth a few months before but officials were not very serious about the issue, now Interpol has issued a security warning that the Taliban operates in Sri Lanka,” he said.

Ven Sudantha defended the postings, saying the group never made “false accusations”.

“We use Facebook to enlighten our people and it’s our prime duty to serve the nation and protect the country.”

Offensive photos and extreme commentary posted by the Buddhist group have sparked major tensions.

In June, Buddhist groups circulated a story online saying that a monk was attacked by Muslims, sparking a riot in Aluthgama that saw clashes on the street. Four people were killed, more than 200 homes and shops destroyed, and 17 mosques attacked. More than 2,200 people were displaced by the violence.

Saleem said that "freedom should have limitations" if the freedoms allotted to Buddhist extremists end up harming others".

Yamini Ravindran, a legal and advocacy coordinator at the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), said Buddhist nationalist groups operate many Facebook pages and often attack evangelical churches by claiming they unethically convert Buddhists.

“Various false allegations have been brought on our churches and one of [the groups] has even reported us to Facebook administration,” Ravindran said. “Our churches face many mob attacks.”

About 60 Christian churches and evangelical prayer centers have been targeted so far this year, while 105 were attacked in 2013, according to NCEASL.

Ruki Fernando, one of country's leading human rights activists, said that Facebook has also been used to promote violence against journalists and activists who have been critical of how Buddhism is being employed.

Saleem, for his part, feels it's only a matter of time before such speech ignites renewed clashes.

“There is petrol being spilled across the country, so if there is a spark anywhere it could explode.”

Report: Freedoms of Assembly and Association in Sri Lanka; 84 attacks in 2014

[Monks led mobs have disrupted peaceful meetings on several occasions]-26/09/2014 

Sri Lanka has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which guarantees freedom of assembly and association. This is reinforced by the Sri Lankan constitution, which also guarantees freedom of assembly and association[1]. However, freedom of assembly and association is considered as a complicated and dangerous issue in Sri Lanka, and these freedoms are often suppressed through a variety of different avenues.

Read the full report on 84 attacks here as a PDF Freedom of Assembly + Association in Sri Lanka-INFORM-20Sep2014(1)

The legal framework:

The constitution itself offers certain exceptions to the guarantee of freedom of assembly and association. It allows freedom of assembly to be restricted in the “interests of racial and religious harmony”[2] , and freedom of association could be restricted in the “interests of racial and religious harmony and national economy”[3]. Both can be restricted in the “interests of national security, public order and the protection of public health or morality, or for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others, or of meeting the just requirements of the general welfare of a democratic society”.[4] The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)[5] further restricts and threatens freedom of assembly and association. In addition, the PTA also restricts host of other rights, such as freedom of expression, right to due process, right to be free from arbitrary arrest etc.

Amongst those individuals who have become victims of the repression of freedoms of assembly and association, are the families of disappeared, student activists, workers, lawyers, clergy, opposition politicians, NGO workers and human rights defenders. Additionally, organisations and groups have also been targeted, including NGOs operating at the national level, community based organizations, trade unions and student unions.

Supressing Freedom of Assembly:

Police and Army have been documented as having used disproportionate and maximum force against unarmed protestors, and have killed and injured those engaged in peaceful assemblies. Participants of protests have faced threats and intimidation. These peaceful protestors have been discredited as people who support terrorism and international conspiracies against the country. Police have resorted to obtaining ex-parte judicial orders to stop peaceful assemblies. The police have also blocked people from travelling from the North to Colombo for peaceful assemblies. Recent cases have shown police watching mob attacks (including those led by Buddhist monks) on peaceful assemblies, refusing to intervene and stop the attacks with even minimum force. Instead, police have chosen to disperse organizers and participants of peaceful assemblies instead of dispersing mobs, and have refused to provide security to victims. There have also been arson attacks on basic temporary infrastructure built for assemblies. Military had ordered the cancellation of training workshops for journalists. Surveillance of private and public events takes place regularly. Organizers and participants have documented intimidation tactics before, during, and after peaceful assemblies, used in order to pressurize them not to participate. In the North, such repression is more severe, with the Military and Police even stopping peaceful memorial and prayer events for those killed. Religious clergy who had organized such events have also faced interrogation and threats.

Suppressing Freedom of Association:

Freedom of Association has been under threat for several years, but events in recent months have become more alarming. The NGO Secretariat sent out a circular to NGOs warning them to stop the following; doing workshops for journalists; organizing trainings for journalists; press conferences; and issuing press releases. Public notices were issued by the Department of External Resources warning about accepting funds and collaborating with NGOs. Government has also been reported as planning to introduce new laws to register, monitor and control activities of Private Foundations and Trusts. Intense and probing reporting procedures have been established to monitor work of NGOs. Student Unions have been dissolved and Student Activists suspended. Associations have also been called unpatriotic and accused of supporting terrorism. Some associations are being subjected to surveillance regularly.

84 Freedoms of Assembly and Association violations reported in 2014[6]

[1]              Sri Lankan constitution, articles 14 (1) (b and C), available at http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Chapter_03_Amd.htm

[2]              Sri Lankan constitution, articles 15 (3) available at http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Chapter_03_Amd.htm

[3]              Sri Lankan constitution, articles 15 (4) available at http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Chapter_03_Amd.htm

[4]           Sri Lankan constitution, articles 15 (7) available at http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Chapter_03_Amd.htm

[5]           Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979, as amended by Act Nos. 10 of 1982 and 22 of 1988

[6]              Based on incidents reported in the media, compiled by INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre, available at http://ihrdc.wordpress.com/repression-of-dissent/repression-of-dissent/. This is not a comprehensive list.

- Report submitted to UN Human Rights Committee by INFORM, Human Rights Documentation Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka/ www.ihrdc.wordpress.com / informcolombo@gmail.com

UDA Should Properly Consider Plight Of Poor “34 Watta” Eviction Victims, Observes Appeal Court Judge

September 26, 2014 

The UDA should not fail to consider the financial difficulties of the petitioners to ensure fairness, observed Justice Upaly Abeyratne when the case by four poor residents from “34 Watta” in Wanathamulla against the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and other respondents challenging the directive issued by the UDA to move from their homes to an alternative location without following legal process, was taken up today (Friday, 26^th September) in the Appeal Court. The case number is CA Writ 283/2014.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa -Secretary, Defence and Urban Development

Senior counsel M. A. Sumanthiran, with Viran Corea, Bhavani Fonseka, Luwie Ganeshathasan and Subhashini Samaraarachchi instructed by Sunil Watagala appeared for the petitioners. Sumanthiran said that after the directive by the Court of Appeal on 23^rd Tuesday, the parties had met to work to resolve the issues and based on progress made at the discussions, there seemed a possibility of a settlement. However, more time was needed to discuss the issues relating to difficulties involving matters of payment, which the UDA was requested to address. The poverty of the people affected should not be ignored, said the counsel.

Sumanthiran emphasized in Court that the UDA should suspend demolishing the buildings which are the homes of the petitioners, until the matter is resolved as agreed in court. He illustrated to Court that the apartments being offered were smaller in floor size and that a fair resolution was required.

Arjuna Obeyesekere, Deputy Solicitor General who appeared for the UDA assured that he would very clearly inform the UDA that any demolition from today will not affect the common amenities like electricity, water, toilets, staircases, accessways etc. and the outer structure of the Condominium parcels of the four petitioners, until the matter is properly resolved as agreed in court.

Appeal Court judge Upaly Abeyratne instructed the UDA to discuss further with the petitioners and their lawyers how to amicably settle the issue, noting that the poverty of the petitioners is an important factor that should be properly taken into account in reaching a settlement. The petitioners were troubled by the fact that UDA was insisting for them to make monthly payments they cannot afford, to give them lower quality accommodation than their legally owned homes that the UDA wants demolished.

Based on the matters informed and the understanding that a suitable acceptable settlement was being worked on, the case was further postponed for Tuesday (30^th September) and in the meantime, the petitioners were instructed to meet with the UDA along with their lawyers, to discuss settlement.