'பொது எதிரணிக் கூட்டணியில் ததேகூ இன்னும் பங்குபெறவில்லை'

உயர்தரம்

mp3 (3.4 எம்பி)

7 மணி நேரங்களுக்கு முன்னர்

இலங்கையில் எதிர்வரும் ஜனவரி மாதம் நடத்தப்படவுள்ளதாக எதிர்பார்க்கப்படும் ஜனாதிபதி தேர்தலில் மகிந்த ராஜபக்ஷவை எதிர்த்துப் போட்டியிடுவதற்கான பொதுக் கூட்டணியில், 'தற்போதைய நிலைமையில் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு அங்கம் வகிக்கவில்லை' என்று அதன் தலைவர் இரா. சம்பந்தன் பிபிசி தமிழோசையிடம் கூறியுள்ளார்.

குறித்த பொதுக் கூட்டணிக்குள்ளேயே இன்னும் சில விடயங்கள் தொடர்பில் இணக்கப்பாடு காணப்பட வேண்டியிருப்பதாகவும் சம்பந்தன் தெரிவித்தார்.

பெரும்பாலும் எதிரணியினரை உள்ளடக்கிய பொதுக் கூட்டணியினர் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்புடன் பேச்சு நடத்தியிருப்பதாகவும் அவர் கூறினார்.

இதனிடையே, ஜனாதிபதி மகிந்த ராஜபக்ஷவுக்கு ஆதரவு தெரிவிக்குமாறு அரசாங்கத் தரப்பிலிருந்து வந்திருக்கின்ற அழைப்பை பரிசீலிக்காமல் நிராகரிக்க முடியாது என்றும் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் தலைவர் கூறினார்.

'அவர்களுடைய செயற்பாட்டில் எமக்கு திருப்தி இல்லாமல் இருந்தாலும் கூட, அவர்கள் ஓர் அழைப்பை விடுக்கின்ற போது நாங்கள் அதுபற்றி சிந்திக்க வேண்டிய தேவை இருக்கின்றது' என்றார் சம்பந்தன்.

ஜனாதிபதி தேர்தல் அதிகாரபூர்வமாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்ட பின்னர், தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பினர் கூடி ஆராய்ந்து யாருக்கு ஆதரவளிப்பது என்பது தொடர்பில் முடிவொன்றை எடுக்கவுள்ளதாகவும் அவர் தெரிவித்தார்.

தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு ஆதரிக்கும் வேட்பாளரை தீர்மானிக்கின்றபோது, தமிழ்மக்களின் பிரச்சனைகளுக்கு நியாயமான, நிரந்தரமான, நடைமுறைப்படுத்தக்கூடிய அரசியல்தீர்வு பற்றியும் மக்களின் அன்றாட தேவைகள் சம்பந்தப்பட்ட விடயங்கள் பற்றியும் கருத்தில் கொள்ளப்படும் என்றும் இரா. சம்பந்தன் கூறினார்.

Breaking News – Rehabilitated LTTE cadre shot dead by a sniper in Mannar

November 13, 2014

A former Tamil Tiger cadre, who had gone through the government’s rehabilitation program, has been reportedly shot dead by a sniper in Mannar, north of Sri Lanka on Wednesday night.

Sources told Colombo Mirror that 40-year old Krishnasamy Nahuleswaran has been shot “from very far apparently by a sniper, and not by pistol in the very outskirts of Mannar town, a heavily militarised area”.

“Nahuleswar was formerly a member of the LTTE police and completed the government rehabilitation program in 2012. He was with at his family home with the family when the incident took place. The army has a heavy military presence in the area and it is not possible for the army to be unaware of who carried out this attack,” Wanni District parliamentarian of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) told Colombo Mirror via phone.

The Wanni MP has also raised this issue in parliament today (MORE).

Missing Tamil located after 23 years of incarceration in South

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 November 2014, 22:45 GMT]
A Tamil man who was reported missing twenty three years ago following a bomb explosion in 1991 at Armor Street Junction in Colombo is said to have been located in a detention camp in the South. The victim, K. Vairvanathan, from Chu’n’naakam in Jaffna is now 53. Both his parents, who have been searching for him, have passed away. After searching for their son for several years, both the parents had come to the conclusion that Vairavanathan was also killed in the bomb explosion, legal sources in Colombo told TamilNet. 

The Hambantota Magistrate Court has sent a letter addressed to the parents of the victim to receive their son. 

The sister of the victim, with her husband, is taking steps to receive Vairavanthan from the detention camp in the south, the sources in Colombo said. 

Arbitrary and illegal detention have become routine tools of so-called law enforcement for decades since the introduction of the Prevention of Terrorism Act of 1979. The practice still continues. Although the SL State ‘lifted’ the state of emergency in August 2011, the repressive PTA is still in force. 

For three decades, genocidal Sri Lanka’s white vans have systematically persecuted Eezham Tamil civilians and activists with abduction and torture and extra-judicial killings. 

146,679 people have gone unaccounted in the final months of the genocidal war in 2009 alone.

வட, கிழக்கில் அரசாங்கம் ஒரு வீட்டைக்கூட நிர்மாணிக்கவில்லை; சஜித் பிரேமதாஸ சுட்டிக்காட்டுகின்றார் 

2014-11-13 16:44:03 | General

பா. கிருபாகரன், டிட்டோகுகன்

வடக்கு, கிழக்கு மாகாணங்களில் வீடுகளை இழந்த மக்களுக்கு இந்த அரசால் எந்தவொரு வீடும் கட்டிக் கொடுக்கப்படவில்லை. அதேவேளை 2015 ஆம் ஆண்டுக்குள் மலையக மக்களுக்கு 175000 வீடுகள் கட்டிக் கெடுக்கப்படுமென அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளபோதும் இதுவரை 1319 வீடுகள் மட்டுமே கட்டிக் கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ள நிலையில் 2015 இற்குள் மலையக மக்களின் வீடில்லாப் பிரச்சினை தீர்க்கப்படுமாவென ஐ.தே.க. பிரதித் தலைவரும் எம்.பி.யுமான சஜித் பிரேமதாஸ கேள்வியெழுப்பினார்.

பாராளுமன்றத்தில் வியாழக்கிழமை இடம்பெற்ற பொறியியல் நிர்மாணத்துறை, வீடமைப்பு, பொது வசதிகள் அமைச்சு மீதான குழுநிலை விவாதத்தில் உரையாற்றுகையிலேயே இவ்வாறு கேள்வியெழுப்பினார் சஜித் பிரேமதாஸ.

My Ignorance That Seeks Answers

By Kusal Perera -

Kusal Perera

Commenting on the Opposition slogan of “Abolishing the Executive Presidency”, Communist Party boss DEW Gunasekera had said, this is only to muster co-operation amongst them against President Rajapaksa. Yes it is. What’s wrong in choosing a demand or a slogan that most could agree ? The fact that DEW cannot subscribe to it as he chose to support President Rajapaksa for the third time, does not invalidate the opposition efforts in forming a broad alliance. What my ignorance cannot comprehend is, not why the opposition cannot choose a slogan (politically right or wrong) that brings most together, but how even a namesake Communist Party could support a regime that lives with racist criminal activities and lives to loot and plunder an economy.

Much different to DEW, I accept the right of the Opposition to decide what their election promises are. Having accepted that right of the opposition, I retain my right to differ on what they promise for the elections. My differences in terms of political relevance to what we need to address right now. In terms of socio political relevance to turn this country around and move democratically forward.

01. Abolition of the Executive Presidency (EP) – The general explanation that reasons out why it should be abolished was what Rev. Omalpe Sobitha told the Muttiah Park gathering yesterday (12 Nov.) To quote, “…..the executive presidency which, with its unbridled powers is the main cause of undemocratic rule, rampant corruption, breakdown in the law and order situation and the unprecedented crime rate.”[The Island/13 Nov.] Going back 30 years or so in history, no one attributed all this in such scale to the Executive Presidency (EP) rule of Jayawardne, the creator of this “monster”. Talking about constructions in Mahaweli development work, Sarath Muttettuwegama the sole “Left” MP then in parliament accused the Jayawardne government of corruption that was around 10 percent the most. The scales are different and we now talk of 40 percent or more as “kickbacks”. What that would mean is, the provisions were there, for any despot to use. That possibility lies mainly with total impunity, a President enjoys even after retirement or defeat.
The question that needs discussion is, “will the scales be this high in undemocratic rule, rampant corruption, breakdown in the law and order, if the President can be taken to Courts by any concerned citizen”? One may say, “Well, we are not talking of shorter scales, but a total eradication of everything evil under the Executive Presidency”. So goes the justification for abolition of the EP and re introduction of the 17 Amendment. Agreed. We need a paradigm shift, away from all evils under the Rajapaksa regime. Hence the proposal to get back to “parliamentary rule”.                                     Read More

JVP’s Second Uprising And The Moral Breakdown Of The Society

| by Basil Fernando

( November 13, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The 13th of November (tomorrow) will be the 25th Death Anniversary of Rohana Wijeweera, the late leader of the JVP, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuana (The Peoples Liberation Front). It is perhaps an appropriate moment to recall the cruelty and the violence engaged in by the JVP as well as of the government security forces in during the so called ‘second uprising’. I propose to do so through a short reflection on a poem which I wrote, of an actual incident that took place during this time.

The poem talks about a good man, who happened to be a lawyer, and whom I knew very well. I have only disguised his name but the rest of the details are photographically true.

The poem depicts not merely the utter senselessness and the unabridged nature of the cruelty which the JVP rank and file proved that they were capable of. They were in fact acting under the overall guidance of the JVP leadership including that of Rohana Wijeweera.

The JVP was molded on the ideological foundation created by Joseph Stalin and believed in the use of terror as a progressive instrument for change. What this meant was that intimidation and fear were necessary components of success and all moral considerations should be abandoned in the pursuit of the objectives of the party.

The absurdity, to which such an ideology was lead to, became clearly manifested in over, literarily, thousands of incidents that took place throughout the country.

The security forces acted with even more cruelty and ferocity.

A sensitive citizen, such as my friend depicted in this poem, could see no purpose in adjusting to the social ethos created by this terror.

It was the government that took best advantage of this situation to achieve its own ends by creating conditions for suppression of each and every person, living at the time.

The impact, of this terror, still lives on.

How Gunadasa Died

Go, go, said he,

Laughing loud,

Smiling, his face radiating happiness.

He was a villager from Baddegama.

Though lawyer with a subtle mind

Capable of making clever arguments,

He had a rural soul

That had survived through centuries.

His name was Gunandasa Baddegama.

Yet one day

This man and his smile

Came to an end.

Having received a message

Of tragedy befalling

One of his brothers

Who walked

On a day the insurgents

Had declared a curfew.

He hurriedly left for his village.

When he went there,

What he saw

On the road,

Covered with a cloth -

A body cut into pieces.

It was a different man

That retuned.

Never was there a smile

On his face again,

Thinner he got each day.

His body shrunk

Like a lizard.

Some said “it’s Cancer”

“ There’s no disease to be found,”

Said the doctors,

“There’s no medicine for this,

Except a miracle,”

Said a professor.

Thinner and thinner he wasted away,

In a final defiance against the inhumanity

He witnessed.

- By Basil Fernando

This poem was originally published in Sinhalese and it was translated by me into English.

About the author: Basil Fernando, Director Policy and Programme Development, AHRC/ALRC

Rajapaksa government acting against India’s national interest: UNP

November 12, 2014 

Sri Lanka’s main Opposition United National Party (UNP) on Wednesday accused the government of President Rajapaksa of “acting against the national interest of neighbouring India by getting into corrupt deals with China”, and said the island nation cannot afford to have any ties with China at the expense of friendly India.

“Rajapaksas are opening flirting with Chinese to anger India, despite getting all the helps from our friendly and caring neighbour. This is not a national policy but a family policy of corruption to the maximum. This is a policy of one against 31 million (people),” Assistant Leader of the UNP Ravi Karunanayake told Colombo Mirror via phone.

Commenting on the recent arrival submarines to Colombo harbour and the Chinese-built Hambantota port and Matara international airport, Mr Karunanayake said such actions and the excessive Chinese influence in other sectors of the country “has obviously worried India and rightly so”.

“This corrupt government is openly pushing an anti-Indian policy. We certainly need all the neighbours to support us, but nothing is at the expense of India. We cannot act against the national interest of India. I warned this government today in parliament that all illegal and corrupt contracts between the current government and Chinese companies would be cancelled outright when we come to power,” Mr Karunanayake said.

He said the UNP would not allow at any cost India to be sidelined by giving more prominence to China through major projects in the country.

Questioning the dim commercial and economic viability of the Chinese projects, including the Colombo Port City project, Karunanayake said that the Rajapaksa government has been “purposefully attempting to create competition between India and China by giving priority to Chinese companies”.

The remarks by the senior member of the main opposition has come at a time when the India is furious with Sri Lanka for allowing the Chinese nuclear-powered submarines to have a free run in its territorial waters.

At least two nuclear-powered Changzheng-2 submarines, accompanied by warships have arrived twice within matter of two months. Second Chinese submarine has called on the Colombo harbour a couple of weeks after India summoned Sri Lanka’s powerful defence secretary Gotabaya Rakapaksa and delivered a tough message about the increasing Chinese activities.

Present Three Common Candidates To Defeat Mahinda

By P.Bertie Ranaweerage -November 13, 2014

Bertie Ranaweerage

The incumbent President is so much determined to be the winner at the next election that he has embarked on a serious pre-election campaign even though the Presidential Election has not officially been announced. Thousands of government employees and party supporters are being fed  with food and propaganda at Temple Trees  almost daily and this will definitely  be continued until every government employee is fed with foods  drinks, souvenirs and propaganda materials. Temple Trees will spend lavishly on other influential sections such as lawyers, artists, journalists, NGOs, religious groups, leading members of the political parties of the UPFA etc  too until the election day as it did during the last Presidential election period. Around one hundred thousand motor bicycles were given to government employees either for one fourth of the value of each  bike or completely free of charge. I hear the government has informed the  police officers at supervisory level that each of them will be given a  car for  a sum of Rs. five hundred thousand (Rs. 500000.00). Having received instructions from the Basils’ Ministry of Economic Development, Sanasa Development Bank has launched a new scheme to give loans up to Rs. one million at a very low interest rate to retired government employees who expect to engage in self employments. Mahinda’s budget promised concessions, reliefs ,salary hikes  etc to many  sections though some economists say there is no money to keep the budget promises. Every day we can see full page advertisements in the news papers that commends Mahinda’s governance.

That is what we ordinary folks see and hear as outsiders but much more must be going on behind the scene to prop up Mahinda and to obstruct and disrupt the campaign of the Opposition.

Read More

Politicians’ health

November 11, 2014, 8:03 pm 

Every passing day in this ‘democratic, socialist republic’ reminds us of George Orwell’s dystopian novel, Animal Farm. It may be a scathing attack on Stalin’s Russia but it is of some relevance to ours as well in that it is about how pigs become more equal than other animals through political manoeuvring.

Politicians never miss an opportunity to pontificate to us about the virtues of social equality and make themselves out to be servants of the people as the late Ranasinghe Premadasa pretended to be. But, they lay bare their true faces once in a way.

There has been a call for increasing MPs’ health insurance cover from Rs. 250,000 to 350,000 and developing the medical centre at the parliamentary complex so that laboratory tests also can be done there. Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga has said parliamentarians have to seek treatment at private hospitals as the state-run hospitals are congested. Why can’t they visit the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, which is only a stone’s throw away from Parliament?

Nobody should grudge MPs better healthcare facilities. They are all honourable men and women! But, the question is how they propose to provide better health care to their voters left with no alternative but to visit the state-run health care institutions and wait in winding queues. Tens of thousands of patients needing life-saving surgical interventions have been waitlisted for months if not years. Newspapers are full of heartrending appeals for public assistance for seriously ill patients.

The UNP and the SLFP or coalitions led by them have ruled this country since Independence and the blame for the rot in the public sector institutions including hospitals should be apportioned to them. It is not out of altruism that they have maintained the free health care and education systems; they do not want to incur the wrath of the people and be booted out of power by trying to scrap them.

Meanwhile, state expenditure on free education and free heath care is no charity but a worthwhile investment as any economist knows in spite of attempts being made in some quarters to make it out to be useless public spending which hampers economic development. For, such welfare measures help produce a healthy, educated workforce if they are properly managed with adequate funds made available for that purpose. Moreover, they have also stood the private sector in good stead in that they help keep the cost of labour low. If the people are deprived of free healthcare and education facilities, they will demand higher salaries which will take a heavy toll on their employers’ profits. Welfare cuts always aggravate unrest among the low income groups and their resentment finds expression in street riots fraught with the danger of threatening political stability, which is a prerequisite for economic development. The role played by social welfare expenditure as a great leveller cannot be overemphasised. True, it is the taxpayers’ money that is spent on free health and free education but the benefits far outweigh the costs. Hence, the onus is on any government, be it SLFP or UNP, to develop those two services.

That parliamentarians have had to admit that the state-run hospitals cannot cater to the increasing demand for healthcare and are, therefore, congested is a self-indictment. Politicians seek treatment at government hospitals only when they get remanded!

The inevitable outcome of people’s representatives and other influential sections of society not seeking treatment at government hospitals is the further deterioration of those institutions with only the voiceless low income groups dependent on them for want of a better alternative.

The best way politicians can remain healthy is to stop gormandizing at the expense of taxpayers and change their lifestyles. Food rich in oil, salt and sugar is mostly responsible for the prevalence of NCDs (non communicable diseases) and it is high time they cut down on their food intake and exercised themselves. They can make use of the jogging tracks the government has built in some parts of the country.

Another Term Of This Madness?

| by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“Negligent, ambitious, and perverse Princes are the real causes of public misfortunes.”

D’Holbach (Good Sense Without God)

( November 13, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) This month, a female university-entrant fell off a seven-foot wall and suffered spinal injuries , while participating in the Leadership Training Programme in an army camp.

Another Term of This Madness by Thavam Ratna

No Such Meeting Took Place – No Change In My Stance: Sobitha Thera

November 13, 2014 

Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha thera – leader of the People’s Movement for a Just Society denies being part of a meeting last night that was attended by President Rajapaksa where he was allegedly coerced into abandoning his call to field a common candidate at the upcoming election.

Sobitha thera, who might himself be the much anticipated common candidate at the upcoming Presidential elections, however told Colombo Telegraph that he was not part of such a meeting.

However, several news websites state that Sobitha thera was summoned to a meeting which took place at the residence of businessman and controversial politician Tiran Alles that was attended by President Rajapaksa, his brother Gotabaya and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

According to the reports, as soon as Sobitha thera arrived at the meeting an agitated President had immediately questioned him as to whether he was plotting to ‘ruin him’.

However, following discussions with the President he had explained that it was not a personal attack but a call for establishing a just society in Sri Lanka to which the President had responded by stating that he would give a written undertaking to implement all of Sobitha thera’s requests including the abolition of the Executive Presidency within six months of his re-election. In return he has been asked to abandon the call to form a common opposition and field a common candidate at the upcoming election.

The reports state furthermore that he had asked for two days to consult with the other members of the movement stating that he cannot reach an arbitrary decision and Minister Silva and Gotabhaya are due to visit the monk at his temple tonight to obtain the verdict.

However, Sobitha thera speaking to Colombo Telegraph assured that his stance has not changed and denied web reports above.

Table copy of SC opinion on third term in House – UNP

Speaker promises to inquire into Opp demand 

by Saman Indrajith-November 13, 2014

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga yesterday requested the government to table a copy of the Supreme Court decision that enabled President Mahinda Rajapaksa to seek re-election for a third time, in Parliament.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa assured the UNP that he would look into Amaratunga’s request and make his position known.

Raising a point of order at the commencement of public business in Parliament, MP Amaratunga said that would help MPs know the basis on which the SC decision had been made.

Amaratunga said that there was a doubt whether the judges of Supreme Court had placed their signatures to endorse the incumbent President's bid. The entire nation was waiting to see on what legal grounds the judges had decided to approve the President's move.

Chief Opposition Whip Amaratunga: Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on Tuesday told the House that a ten- member panel of judges of the Supreme Court had decided that there was no legal impediment for President Rajapaksa. The opinion of the Supreme Court had been sought after amending certain provisions in the Constitution. Thus, there is a need for the Members of Parliament to know the Supreme Court decision. We want to know how the said judges have reached that decision and on what basis they did so. Had this decision been sent to the Speaker there would have been no problem."

"We are not challenging the Supreme Court decision. But, we want to know what factors had been taken into consideration when that decision was made. The Leader of the House read out a part of the Supreme Court decision to the House. That is not enough. Thus, we request the government to table a copy of the decision be tabled in Parliament. We also request the Speaker to order the government to do so.

UPFA National List MP AHM Azwer: This is not a judgment by the Supreme Court. The President by the powers vested in him sought the opinion of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court conveyed its opinion to the President not to Parliament.

UNP Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella: According to the Standing Orders there is no provision for the Leader of the House to present such a decision to Parliament. When a Bill is challenged it is sent to the Supreme Court which subsequently sends its opinion or decision to the Speaker. But, on this occasion no such thing has taken place. Therefore, we want to know how and why the Supreme Court’s opinion has been sought and on what ground the decision has been delivered.

Chief Government Whip Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: The announcement was made by the Leader of the House during the committee stage debate on budget 2015 under the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management. He was participating in the debate and it was his ministry. Thus it is wrong for you to say that the Leader of the House made an announcement. He said so considering it is a responsibility of the government to inform Parliament of the Supreme Court opinion. If you need a copy of the document, the Speaker could order us to do so we would present it to the House.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa: I cannot force you to present the Supreme Court decision to Parliament. I would look into the matter and convey my decision to the House.

Uncertainty over millions due to SLTB buses for MR’s meeting

Thursday, 13 November 2014 

The payments due to the Sri Lanka Transportation Board (SLTB) regarding the 610 buses taken by the governing party to transport crowds to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s rally to be held in Rambukkana on the 14th of this month.

Lanka Herald learns that a sum of Rs. 9 million is due to be paid to the SLTB for the buses.

However, written notifications have been sent to 21 SLTB depot managers by the SLTB Provincial Manager of the Sabaragamuwa Province to provide these buses on the 14th at 2.00 p.m.

The directive issued by the provincial manager has also given a list of all political coordinators and the relevant areas where the buses have to be sent.

It is learnt that several depot managers have objected to supplying buses as directed by the provincial manager due to the unclear nature over the payments for the rental of buses.

All the efforts made to contact SLTB chairman Shashi Welgama were unsuccessful.

Instead, the SLTB Deputy General Manager (Transport), Chandrasiri said, “The money is paid by the Road Development Authority which comes under the purview of the President. However, no payment has been made yet. But it will definitely be made.”

Dammika Priyadarshana

(T)Reason For Army To Step In Or Time For An Ochlocracy?

By Muhammed Fazl -November 11, 2014

Muhammed Fazl

“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson, Seventh President of the United States.

Betrayal of a country, its people divided and debauched, destituteness and despotism, desperation dawning from denial of justice…. we have seen it all, and all along! Rules and laws have been changed, broken, absent or made defunct. Promises have been made and broken by the very same rulers, and to whom we have sworn our oath of allegiance.

In a country where GDP is confused with the standard of living and where crimes against humanity is not even a subject of discussions no more, let alone a concern, what worse could befall the afflicted and the wronged? And how long would it last the ‘endurance testing’ of the suffering?

Pawns in the game of politics

Privileged thinkers, writers, rights activists and politicians may have a lot of answers and opinions in finding solutions for the current predicament this country is in. While obsessions with political powers and the accumulation of illegal wealth have no bounds, cloud it does as well the judgments of concerned legislators and stakeholders when it is the time to serve the disenfranchised.

Chasing politicians when in search of justice is akin to chasing mirages. Yet, the monopoly to bring about changes to the lives of millions seems to be the domain of a selected political few. Erratic may have been his actions and words lately, but PresidentRajapaksa’s (MR) conduct should not be taken for a weakness. Breaking all rules when at the height of power, opposition parties should expect the worst when the ‘M Dynasty’ (‘blood relation’ of the Chinese kind) is actually threatened!                                                           Read More

Karunadasa Suriyarachchi critical!

Thursday, 13 November 2014 

Former editor of ‘Silumina’, senior journalist Karunadasa Suriyarachchi, is being treated at the ICU of Nawaloka Hospital in a critical condition.

A few days ago, after having too much of alcohol, he slipped and fell in the bathroom at home. As back of his skull was badly injured in the fall, he was rushed to hospital in an unconscious state. Hospital sources say there is no improvement in his condition.

When he was at ‘Irida Divaina’, Suriyarachchi wrote the popular columns ‘Kasurige Kolama’, ‘Wata Ravuma’ and ‘Pakislanthaya.’ Leaving Upali Newspapers, he joined Lake House as editor of ‘Silumina’. When Sundara Nihathamani de Mel took over as editor of that newspaper, he was appointed its consultant editor.

Mahinda Abeysundara fakes illness!

 Thursday, 13 November 2014

Senior journalist Mahinda Abeysundara, consultant editor to ‘Dinamina’ and who writes the script for ITN’s ‘Pasu Viparama’ programme, is on sick leave and is staying at home, say Lake House sources.

Following an illness, he was admitted to hospital, but even after regaining normal health, he fakes illness and refuses to go to work at Lake House and ITN.

“At this rate, it is sure Mahinda Boss will spoil up. In our old age, we cannot shoulder such problems. In the end, what will happen is we will not get a pension. Not reporting for work is no problem. If a medical is sent, the salary is sent home. Therefore, it is better to remain like this,” he has told his friends, who telephone or visit him to inquire about his health.