US: no softening in Sri Lanka policy
03 October 2014

Dismissing Sri Lankan media reports that the US Secretary of State had assured President Mahinda Rajapaksa of a softening in the US' stance on Sri Lanka, the US State Department said it "has not changed and it certainly has not softened".

Asked at a press briefing if the US stance had softened a spokesperson for the State Department, Jen Psaki, said "absolutely not".

"The only thing that was right was that the Secretary did speak with the Sri Lankan President on the margins of the UN General Assembly. He did so with the express purpose of conveying that U.S. policy with regard to Sri Lanka has not changed and it certainly has not softened," she added.  "We would, of course, like our relationship with Sri Lanka to achieve its full potential, but that will only happen if Sri Lanka builds enduring peace and prosperity for all of its diverse ethnic and religious communities," Psaki went on to say.

"And that's why the Secretary, in no uncertain terms, made clear to the president that Sri Lanka needed to take meaningful steps to act like a country that is no longer at war and instead is now building a future that includes all of its citizens."

"So certainly it had the opposite purpose," she added.

Jen Psaki-Spokesperson-Daily Press Briefing Washington, DC-October 2, 2014

QUESTION: There is a report that I have seen from a Sri Lankan newspaper suggesting that when Secretary Kerry met with the Sri Lankan president, I think it was during UNGA, that he had – that Secretary Kerry had indicated or suggested a softening in the U.S. position on Sri Lanka. The piece I saw didn’t specify what, but I think the inference was that it was a softening on human rights concerns in Sri Lanka. Is there any truth to that? Did he signal that he would take human rights less seriously there?

MS. PSAKI: Absolutely not. I saw the same story. The only thing that was right was that the Secretary did speak with the Sri Lankan president on the margins of the UN General Assembly. He did so with the express purpose of conveying that U.S. policy with regard to Sri Lanka has not changed and it certainly has not softened. We would, of course, like our relationship with Sri Lanka to achieve its full potential, but that will only happen if Sri Lanka builds enduring peace and prosperity for all of its diverse ethnic and religious communities. And that’s why the Secretary, in no uncertain terms, made clear to the president that Sri Lanka needed to take meaningful steps to act like a country that is no longer at war and instead is now building a future that includes all of its citizens. So certainly it had the opposite purpose.

Concerns on the Proceedings of the Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons

2 October 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is deeply concerned about the recently concluded proceedings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons (the Commission). More than a year into its mandate and in light of the practices that were evident at the recently concluded sittings, CPA questions as to whether the Commission is able to conduct investigations into its now expanded mandate. A more fundamental question must be posed – is not the failure to genuinely address the grievances of over 19,000 complainants a stark reminder of the flaws in and failures of domestic processes that are meant to investigate violations?
Download a PDF of this press release here.

Concerns on the Proceedings of the Presidential Commission to Investigate Into Complaints Regarding Missing... by Thavam

'Who do you think you're fooling' shouts Tamil mother at Presidential Commission02 October 2014A Tamil mother in Mulangavil slammed the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Disappeared, after she was offered poultry farming when she had attended to register the disappearance of her son.  “Who are you fooling, you cannot fool God. I want my child," she shouted, after storming out of the Commission's session in Mulangavil. Standing outside the proceedings, the anguished, elderly mother shouted and cursed the Commission, accusing the Sri Lankan army of killing young Tamils. "My child came into army control I don’t know whether they shot him. They ( Sri Lankan Army) shot our children and are now looking for our children 5 years later," she shouted through the window. "All this government does in Vanni is tell lies and kill the poor. No amount of chickens can substitute the worth of my son," she said. Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Disappearances lacks credibility - CPA (02 October 2014) 'Deceptive' Presidential Commission on Missing Persons an attempt to mislead people – TNA(17 August 2014)

SriLanka investigators harass senior journalist in Jaffna

[Thayaraparan Ratnam addressing Nimalarajan Commemoration event; Face Book photo]

02/10/2014 

Senior Journalist and media activist Thayaraparan Ratnam in Jaffna has been subjected to interrogation style investigations by a ‘Special Criminal Investigation Division’ in Kaangkeasanthu’rai (KKS) on Wednesday, media circles in Jaffna said. Mr Thayaparan has been subjected to continous harassment by Sri Lankan Defence Ministry operated ‘investigation’ units, Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) and the CID, the sources said adding that the harassments started after the journalists and media activists started to attend media workshops held in Colombo and other places. However, the timing of the harassment against Tamil journalists has a different motive, civil activists in Jaffna told TamilNet.

Violent attacks against Tamil journalists have also been stepped up in Jaffna and Vanni in recent weeks.

The SL military is trying to impose a total censorship on Tamil media as it fears that the information from the journalists will be used as “reasonable grounds to believe” standard of proof by the OHCHR panel of Investigation on Sri Lanka. “This standard of proof may be sufficiently high to call for judicial investigations into violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and international crimes,” the OISL said in its Terms of Reference document.

The CID investigators have been questioning Mr Thayaparan, who is associated with Jaffna Press Club (JPC), on his interactions with international media watchdogs, training programmes with journalists from South that took place at Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) in Colombo, journalists in Jaffna said.

Mr Thayaparan was one of the 15 journalists who were chased and harassed by the SL military intelligence operatives on their way to attend a workshop on 25 July at the SLPI. The journalists were stopped twice on their way. On their second attempt, alleged SL military intelligence operatives attempted to plant a small pack of narcotics in one of their vehicles to detain them under false charges. However, the journalists who were on alert, foiled the attempt. Later, the SL military staged a demonstration against the workshop in Colombo disturbing the program of the SLPI.

Several journalists in North have come under similar harassments since their interaction with Transparency International Sri Lanka, which is a branch of the Transparency International (TI), a global watchdog against corruption.

Starting from August 03, 2014, Mr Thayaparan was subjected to continuous questioning, first by Defence Ministry investigators from Colombo and later by so-called Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) investigators, the sources in Jaffna said.

On Wednesday, the journalist was instructed to come to the Forward Defence Line (FDL) at Thellippazhai. He was taken to a house on KKS Road where a ‘Special Investigation team of the CID’, that comes under the Northern DIG of the SL Police, recorded a statement questioning the journalists for more than 3 hours.

The first part of the investigation was based on false allegations of LTTE connection in the past. But, at the end of their session, the investigators started to pose serious questions about Thayaparan’s connections to media watchdogs and his connections with the protests organised by the journalists in Jaffna in the recent times, the sources further said.

In Sri Lanka, ‘fear and insecurity’ for journalists, activists

by UCAnews 

- on 10/03/2014 

Sri Lankan TV journalist Kapila Chandana Kuruppuarachchi thought he was just doing his job when he tried to cover a clash between backers of rival political parties in late September.

Instead, he says, a mob of pro-government supporters chased him for almost a kilometer before pelting him with stones. He was hospitalized with major bone and tissue damage to his face, which will require at least two surgeries to repair.

“These thugs are supporters of a government minister and they severely attacked me,” Kuruppuarachchi told ucanews.com by phone from a hospital, where he has been recovering since the assault.

The vicious assault was the latest in a line of threats, intimidation and outright attacks against journalists and human rights lawyers that activists say are part of an attempt to stymie free speech in Sri Lanka.

On October 2 and 3, more than 300 journalists, lawyers and activists demonstrated in central Colombo, calling for an end to attacks against members of their professions. They say the threats have created a hostile environment where speaking and writing the truth is a dangerous proposition.

“There is no freedom to write freely amid the continuous threats to rights activists,” said Sunil Jayasekara, convener of the group Free Media Movement.

As a journalist, Jayasekara has worked amid repeated death threats. Jayasekara said that over the last 25 years, more than 50 journalists have been forced to flee the country, while more than 80 other journalists, employees or owners of media organizations have been murdered.

“The government has created an environment of fear and does not ensure the safety of journalists,” he said, describing repeated scenarios where unidentified men, hiding their faces with helmets, follow journalists and activists and threaten them.

“Unruly mobs enjoy officials’ protection and violate the rights of activists. These rights are guaranteed by the constitution and the duty of the officers is to protect these rights.”

The same month Kuruppuarachchi was attacked, leading human rights lawyers Namal Rajapakshe and Manjula Pathiraja were threatened when two unidentified men walked into their office and told the lawyers they would be harmed if they participated in any “unnecessary cases”.

In an interview, Rajapakshe said the men had warned that if the lawyers didn’t listen to the advice, they should instead prepare “two coffins”.

“The unidentified men wore helmets to cover their faces and threatened us,” he said.

Sri Lanka Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said the department has deployed a team to find those responsible for the attack, though no arrests have been made.

Either way, activists say the government has failed to ensure the safety of journalists and human rights campaigners.

“It is a shame that every week, human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers must demonstrate about the protection of human rights,” said Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, executive director of the Colombo-based Center for Policy Alternatives. “Activists live in fear and insecurity.”

###

This story originally appeared on ucanews.com and appears on Groundviews as part of a content sharing agreement.

Golden Key Circus To Continue

October 3, 2014

Following the standing down of Mohan Pieris from hearing the Golden Key Fundamental Rights case, a five judge bench today directed that the entire case be re-heard on three different days in November.

De facto Chief Justice Mohan Pieris

Justice Sripavan who headed the bench informed all parties present that the De Facto Chief Justice Mohan Pieris had ordered a five judge bench to hear the case.

This is after Pieris stepped down from hearing the case, after what he said a ” scurrilous letter” defaming him was being circulated to his family and friends.

It was alleged that the letter was sent by the Directors of Ceylinco Insurance who stood to lose their stake in a sham fund ” CIESOT” which the De Facto Chief Justice had earlier directed to be frozen.

Subsequent Financial Investigation Unit reports and Security and Exchange Commission reports identified the trust fund to be held for “collateral purposes”.

The De Facto Chief Justice showing much bravado and ferocity declared the trust fund a “sham device” and said in open court that “no intimidatory tactics will intimidate the court” before meekly recusing himself from the bench.

The five judge bench will comprise Justice Eva Wanasundera and Buwaneka Aluwihare in addition to Rohini Marasinghe, Sripavan and Sisira De Abrew.

The Golden Key depositors have continuously urging court to re-pay the money that was due to them and had on over 50 occasions appeared before court.

Many of the depositors have committed suicide and in financial ruin due to the Golden Key debacle.

The entire repayment of the depositors was to be completed by January 2015 according to the Task Force Chairman Priyantha Fernando prior to the Chief Justice standing down from the case.

Party old guard says: UNP must support common candidate 

By Niranjala Ariyawansha-
October 3, 2014

Former UNP Parliamentarians stated yesterday, that the UNP needed to support the common candidate at the next presidential election, in order to correct the historic mistake the party is guilty of; establishing the executive presidency.
They further stated the opposition parties must unite in order to stand up to the Rajapaksa regime, which would unleash further violence at the upcoming presidential election.
 
They made these comments during a media briefing on the abolition of the executive presidency, held by the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) at the Naga Viharaya in Kotte.
"We are responsible for voting in favour of the executive presidency. However, it has turned out to be a wrong decision. Therefore, at the next presidential election, Ranil Wiickremesinghe from the UNP cannot defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa. Likewise, a common candidate cannot achieve victory without the support of the UNP.
 
As a result, the UNP must make a decision to fully back the common candidate at the upcoming presidential election" former General Secretary of the UNP, Daham Wimalasena asserted.
Deputy Defence Minister during the Jayewardene Government, Anura Bastian, said, this would be the last and most opportune time in history to abolish the executive presidency.
 
Former parliamentarians of the
J. R. Jayewardene government, Upali Piyasoma, M. G. Premaratne, Madhurapala Ediriweera and Mahen Gunasekara were among the former deputy ministers and district ministers who were present at the meeting.
Convener of the NMSJ and Chief Incumbent of the Kotte Naga Viharaya, Ven. Maduluwave Sobhitha Thera said, they would announce the name of the common candidate who would defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa within the next two weeks.

If an independent Bribery Commission existed, unpleasant situation not emerged - Thalatha

 Friday, 03 October 2014

 

"People lodge complaints with the Bribery and Corruption Commission and an opinion has established that the alleged are arrested. Though small fish are caught, measures are not taken to catch sharks, who are engaged in massive frauds. If an independent Bribery and Corruption Commission existed such unpleasant situation would not have emerged" said by the UNP Secretary for Elections and Ratnapura district parliamentarian, Thalatha Atukorale

She made these comments yesterday (02) addressing a media briefing held at UNP headquarters Sirikotha at Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

She further stated that bringing a catastrophe  to the country and the society the Police has been politicized and those police officers are to contest in the next election under United People's Freedom Alliance ticket.

"Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) Senior Minister DEW Gunesekera presented two COPE reports to the parliament. However, there is no agenda to take legal actions against those who are convicted. As a result they further their frauds and corruptions," Atukorale added.

Remove or at least minimize the negative political effects of the proposed Papal Visit to SL -Lawyers for a just society writes to Vatican

(Lanka-e-News- 03.Oct.2014, 4.30PM) 

September 30, 2014

H.E. Archbishop Pierre Nguyên Van Tot

Apostolic Nuncio

Colombo

Your Excellency,

Please allow the Lawyers for a Just Society to bring to your kind attention a matter of much importance to Sri Lankans

This matter concerns the proposed visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Sri Lanka sometime in January 2015. While all Sri Lankans, irrespective of their individual religious ties, would wholeheartedly welcome the Holy Father to this Blessed Isle, we feel that the visit would, of course indirectly, help curtail certain democratic freedoms of the people.

We understand that the Pope, as a policy, would not undertake a visit to a country that is in the midst of an election campaign and technically, it would not be the case with Sri Lanka as the tentative presidential campaign would be hopefully over by the time of the Papal Visit. Still, even if it takes place under such circumstances, we feel it would offer an undue political advantage to political parties responsible for inviting the Holy Father to Sri Lanka in their capacity as the governing party and which, going by past precedents, they are likely to politically exploit to the fullest. Thus it’s inevitable that the people-Catholics and non-Catholics alike- would tend to view the Visit in a certain political light which would do little justice to the exemplary non-political and non-partisan image of the Holy Father.

In addition, the Visit of the Pope is likely to curtail the period of campaigning for the Presidential election to about 30 days in order for the Presidential Election to be over before the Papal Visit commences and thus avoid the Vatican-imposed limitations on such visits. Presidential Election is the most important election in Sri Lanka where the person who’d lead the country for 6 years is elected and for such a decisive election, more than 60-days of campaigning had been permitted in the past. And such adequate campaign time could be considered as a democratic right which is quite close to people’s hearts.

Thus, in the light of what is mentioned above, we humbly request you to consider interceding with the Sri Lankan Government as well as with the Vatican, to remove or at least minimize the negative political effects of the proposed Papal Visit to Sri Lanka

Thank you,

Yours respectfully,

Convenors

Attorneys at Law

Elmo Perera - 071-8349837

Shiral Lakthilaka - 077-7688725

Gunarathna Wanninayaka - 077-7550959

Comment On Sajin-Nonis Affair

Sajin Vass Gunewardena | Photo Business Today

By Tamara Kunanayakam -October 3, 2014

Tamara Kunanayakam

The 

questions that everyone should be asking is: “Why now?  Why in New York? Why in the context of the UN General Assembly? Why during the Human Rights Council session in Geneva? Who benefits from the crime? What is the mission of Sri Lanka’s diplomacy?”

Sajin Vass Gunawardena, the man who runs the Foreign Ministry, andKshenuka Senewiratne, his number two, are two sides of the same coin.

The assault of High Commissioner Chris Nonis is only one in a series of Acts in a Tragedy that opened in Geneva in 2009 with the same cast of villains, followed by other Acts also in Geneva in 2011 and 2012, and still others played out in Rome and Paris.

The method they used then to disarm Sri Lanka’s representatives was mobbing, now they have advanced to physical thuggery, and these top “diplomats” continue their devastation not only with total impunity, but enjoying high patronage, promotions, and financial advantages.

At a crucial juncture in the history of our country when unity and cohesion are national priorities, and credibility and allies international priorities, such hooliganism on the part of Sri Lanka’s top “diplomats” raises questions about the very nature of the Sri Lankan State and its state of decay,Their modus operandi may have changed, but their objective hasn’t . Their actions have always put Sri Lanka on the defensive in the position of the Accused. There is a striking coincidence between the defeat of the West along with the LTTE in 2009 and the beginnings of this Tragedy.

It is urgent that the parliament, the parties that represent the people, and the people themselves put an end to this public humiliation of the nation if the country’s sovereignty, independence, and dignity is to be defended.

So Who Is Sajin Vass?

Sajin Vass Gunewardena | Photo Business Today

By Sonali Samarasinghe -October 3, 2014 

Sonali Samarasinghe

A man is often 

judged by the company he keeps. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is no different. Already the President has come under heavy fire for his association with Ajith Nivard Cabraal, and questions have been raised regarding various business dealings of Cabraal and how it would impact on the nation’s economy given Rajapaksa’s recent appointment of him as governor, Central Bank.

Now it seems that President Rajapaksa’s blue eyed boy and his coordinating secretary to boot, Sajin de Vass Gunawardena comes with a dubious track record dotted with remand time, fraud bureau investigations, unpaid loans and unfulfilled promises.

President Rajapaksa’s style of choosing his advisors and close allies become even more pertinent given that Sajin de Vass Gunawardena was refused a place by Ranil Wickremesinghewhen the then prime minister was told that Sajin had a criminal track record. Wickremesinghe was to advice the young man to clear his name first.

Read More

Buddhist monk remanded over drug charges

October 3, 2014

A Buddhist monk arrested on charges of possessing and dealing marijuana has been remanded by the Anuradhapura High Court, after he failed to meet bail conditions. 

The monks was ordered released on bail by High Court Judge Dhammika Ganepala after being indicted, however he was remanded due to failing to fulfill bail conditions. 

The Buddhist monk was arrested and produced at court after being arrested while transporting a stock of ganja in a three-wheeler.  

Two bodies wash ashore at Negombo Lagoon

October 3, 2014

The bodies of two individuals have been discovered washed ashore in the Negombo Lagoon strip near the Sedawatta Church in Pamunugama. 

One of the bodies had been found at around 6.00pm yesterday, according to information received by police, while the other was found in the same lagoon strip at 2.00am this morning. 

The deceased have been identified as a 41-year-old resident of Prithipura, Elakanda  while the other man is a 36-year-old from Malwatta Road in Dehiwala, police said.

Preliminary inquiries have uncovered that the two men had died while escaping from a rehabilitation center for drug addicts in the Palmwatta area. 

The bodies have been placed at the location, under police protection, until the magistrate’s inquiry is conducted, police said.  

Myanmar website hacked, threatened over Buddhist radical story

• Writer: AFP-2 Oct 2014

YANGON - A popular Myanmar news website was blocked Thursday by hackers angry at its description of hardline Buddhist monks as "radical", as the publication said it had received threats of violence over its coverage. 

Buddhist monks take part in a ceremony at the Shwedagon pagoda on the full moon day of Kasone Festival to mark Buddha's birthday in Yangon on May 13, 2014. (AFP photo)

The Irrawaddy saw its main English-language website briefly replaced with a black screen and notice accusing it of being pro-Muslim and slamming a blog it ran in Burmese about Myanmar nationalist cleric Wirathu's weekend meeting with controversial Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka.

The Buddhist-majority countries have seen rising religious hate speech and attacks on minority Muslims, with some hardline monks accused of fanning intolerance by stoking fears of a threat from Islamic jihadists.

The hackers claimed the Irrawaddy "supports jihad and radical Muslims" and was "attacking Buddhism with so called freedom of speech".

Their notice, which was later taken down, appeared to come from Sri Lanka and demanded the publication apologise for referring to the country's hardline Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) or Buddhist Force as "radical".

It comes just days after staff in the publication's Rangoon office received a telephone threat of a fire and bomb attack over the same article, the Irrawaddy told AFP.

The news site, which operated for years during junta rule as an exile media group based in Thailand, now also has an office in Myanmar's main city.

Irrawaddy editor Aung Zaw described the cyber attack as "brutal", but said the website had largely been restored by Thursday lunchtime.

He said the Irrawaddy Facebook pages had been inundated with hate mail in recent days linked to coverage including the anniversary of Myanmar's junta crackdown on 2007 monk-led protests.

"It is very clear that a team is behind the cyber attacks and cyber abuse... Clearly, they are criminals," he told AFP.

Myanmar was gripped by harsh military rule for decades until a quasi-civilian regime took power in 2011, implementing reforms that have opened the country to the world and raised hopes of a transition to democracy.

But the country has also suffered several bouts of religious violence since 2012 that have left over 200 people dead and tens of thousands displaced, mainly Muslims.

Sri Lanka and Myanmar share a common Buddhist heritage and have close cultural ties.

The link between Wirathu and BBS has caused concern, with the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka warning the Myanmar monk's visit last Sunday posed "a serious threat to peace in our beloved motherland".

Sri Lanka suffered its worst religious violence in decades in June when riots broke out in the resorts of Aluthgama and Beruwala, leaving four people dead.

The BBS has been accused of instigating the attacks, a charge it denies.

Dalai Lama in ‘informal’ talks to return to Tibet

Dalai Lama in ‘informal’ talks to return to Tibet

READ MORE Dalai Lama Return To Tibet|Dalai Lama-AFP | Oct 2, 2014, 

Last month, an anonymous blog post appeared briefly on a Chinese-run website describing the Dalai Lama’s return in positive terms, before it was taken down.

DHARAMSALA: The Dalai Lama indicated on Thursday that he was in informal talks with China to make a historic pilgrimage to Tibet after more than half a century in exile.

The Tibetan spiritual leader said he had “made clear” his desire to undertake the pilgrimage to a sacred mountain in his homeland to contacts in China, including retired Communist Party officials.

“It’s not finalized, not yet, but the idea is there,” the 79-year-old told AFP in an interview in Dharamshala, where he lives.

“Not formally or seriously, but informally… I express, this is my desire, and some of my friends, they are also showing their genuine interest or concern,” he added.

READ ALSO

China snubs Dalai Lama, says it can appoint his successor

Dalai Lama praises China president, calls him a realist

“Recently, some Chinese officials, for example the deputy party secretary in the autonomous region of Tibet, he also mentioned the possibility of my visit as a pilgrimage to that sacred place.”

The Dalai Lama has long expressed a desire to visit the Wutai Shan mountain, considered sacred by Tibetans.



His comments on Thursday come amid speculation of an easing of tensions with China, which in the past has decried the spiritual leader as a “splittist” and accused him of seeking secession.

The exiled monk, who retired from politics in 2011, says he is fighting for greater autonomy for Tibetan areas.

Last month, an anonymous blog post appeared briefly on a Chinese-run website describing the Dalai Lama’s return in positive terms, before it was taken down.

It was seen by some experts as an indication that China’s tone may be softening — a view shared by the Dalai Lama.

On Thursday, he welcomed recent comments by China’s President Xi Jinping on the importance of Buddhism in Chinese society and said he was “optimistic” about the current leadership in Beijing.

“This is something very new, a Communist Party leader saying something about spirituality,” said the exiled leader, who recently described Xi as “more open-minded” than his predecessors.

The Dalai Lama, who enjoyed a close relationship with Xi’s father before he fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising, also praised the Chinese leader for a crackdown on official corruption.

“These things show he (Xi) is approaching these problems more realistically,” said the Dalai Lama.

But he criticised China’s treatment of dissidents, including the Uighur writer Ilham Tohti, who was recently sentenced to life in prison for separatism.

“There is some arrest of dissidents — some intellectual people — such as very recently a Uighur writer,” he said.

“These people firstly are not anti-government, not anti-people. So I think not necessary… I think actually long run, harmful.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Delhi

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• 

With Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India, it is expected that bilateral ties between the two Asian giants will receive a positive fillip. PM Modi and Xi met on September 18, 2014 in Delhi and discussed LAC incursions and other issues. (AP photo)

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