BASL to Colombo Mayor: Remove the Illigal [Rajapaksa] Hoardings or Face Legal Action

[ 1800 Rajapaksa hoarding in CMC limits alone]-04/12/2014
Law firm Samararatne Associates has sent a letter demand to Mayor of Colombo Mr A. J. M. Musammil on behalf Mr. Ajith Pathirana, Secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka(BASL requesting to remove the unauthorized hoardings that have been put up within the municipality of Colombo immediately.
BASL to Colombo Mayor Remove the Illigal [Rajapaksa] Hoardings or Face Legal Action by Thavam Ratna

Foreign travel advice-Sri Lanka

GOV.UK

Summary

• Still current at:
   4 December 2014
• Updated:
   1 December 2014
• Latest update: Summary - presidential elections have been announced for 8 January

You need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. See Visas

Presidential elections have been announced for 8 January 2015. Political rallies and election campaigns in Sri Lanka have occasionally turned violent. You should avoid any political gatherings or rallies. SeePolitical situation

Earlier in 2014, there were violent disturbances in Aluthgama (near Bentota) and Beruwala (about 60km south of Colombo) which resulted in 4 reported deaths and many injuries, as well as damage to buildings and local businesses. Both areas are near to tourist resorts on the coast. There have been isolated incidents and disturbances elsewhere around the country, primarily targeting Evangelical Christians and Muslims. You should take care and avoid demonstrations.

The security forces have imposed restrictions preventing all foreign passport holders (including British nationals) travelling to the Northern Province. All foreign passport holders planning to travel to the north must get prior approval from the Ministry of Defence. Military activities are ongoing. You should obey orders from the security forces and signs warning of the danger from land-mines. SeeLocal travel - North

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. See Terrorism

Most visits to Sri Lanka are trouble-free, but you should be aware of the risk of credit card fraud, road accidents, drownings due to dangerous tides and dengue fever which is transmitted by mosquito bites.

Sri Lanka can be affected by severe weather like tropical cyclones and monsoon rains. Check local advice before setting out. See Natural disasters

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.

Entitlement And Misrule

| by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“When crimes begin to pileup they become invisible.”

Brecht (Poems – 1913-56)

( December 5, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Last month three members of Shashindra Rajapaksa’s security-detail died when their speeding vehicle clashed into a parked lorry .

Why would Shashindra Rajapaksa – or any other chief minister/minister/parliamentarian - need security convoys?

Entitlement and Misrule by Thavam Ratna

General Weerasooriya’s Presence In SA Is Outrageous: SATF

December 4, 2014 

The South African Tamil Federation (SATF) has written to the organizers of the Association of Military Christian Fellowships – Global Interaction 2014 over the arrival of former Sri Lanka Army General Srilal Weerasooriya in South Africa, who has been held responsible for the genocide of over 70,000 Sri Lankan Tamils in the 90s.

General Srilal Weerasooriya and his wife Dilhani

In a letter, the SATF Joint Secretary Marie Pillay-Ramya – representing the interests of Tamil speaking people residing in South Africa has said they believe General Weerasooriya’s presence in South Africa is ‘outrageous’ as his past conduct has been ‘unbecoming’ of a ‘born again Christian and a God fearing man’.

They have pointed out that a man who should be tried and convicted for human rights violations on Sri Lankan people being present in South Africa to participate in the event organised by the Military Christian Fellowships organisation, has concerned them greatly and is a matter that has brought disdain adn disappointment to the Tamil speaking community living in the country.

The SATF has gone on to state that substantive proof and testimony exists to Weerasooriya’s atrocious involvement in the genocide of between 70,000 and 100,000 Tamils in Sri Lanka and that they hope the SA government would back the ongoing international investigation against Sri Lanka on the continued oppression of the Sri Lankan Tamils.

Weerasooriya was appointed the Commander of Sri Lanka Army in 1998 and was previously in command of the Jaffna peninsula throughout 1995 and 1996. His involvement in the genocide of Tamils and particularly his involvement in the Chemmani mass killings have been extensively documents by the University Teachers for Human Rights in Jaffna organisation as well as international media.

Sri Lanka: Making A Case For Change

By Asanga Abeyagoonasekera -December 4, 2014 

Asanga Abeygoonasekera

The final month of the year 2014 began with the news of Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak. He was found not guilty of the massacre of civilians who protested for his overthrow in the 2011 Arab Spring. Society’s expectation for a total change in political culture was proven difficult to materialise due to numerous issues, of which Egypt is an example.

In the political landscape of Sri Lanka, as previously predicted, the presidential race begins on the road to the polls with a decision to be taken on 8 January 2015. Senior party member Maithripala Sirisena, a member ofthe President’s own party, crossed over to challenge him as the opposition common candidate. The common candidacy presents a grand coalition of political forces. The joint opposition coalition harnesses the support of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike and the opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. It promises an overhaul of contemporary political culture within a 100 days of assuming Presidency. The centre of this change lies in the abolition of the Executive Presidency.Read More

Sri Lankan catholics urge Pope Francis to put off visit

December 4, 2014 --------------------------------Source: New York Times

A number of prominent Roman Catholic priests and laypeople in Sri Lanka are appealing to Pope Francis to put off a scheduled visit, saying the government is using the occasion as propaganda to imply the pope’s support for President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is seeking an unprecedented third term in office.

The pope is expected to arrive in Colombo, the capital, on Jan. 13, five days after an early presidential election declared by Mr. Rajapaksa. Francis is expected to canonize Joseph Vaz, a 17th-century priest and missionary, as the country’s first saint.

Hector Welgampola, a former editor of The Messenger, a Catholic newspaper, said in a blog post this week that the decision, announced Nov. 20, to hold the presidential election two years early, just before the papal visit, had “‘deeply hurt”‘ the country’s Catholics.

Posters and banners displayed in predominantly Catholic regions suggest that the pope has blessed Mr. Rajapaksa’s re-election. “‘With His Holiness’ blessings — you will be our president,”‘ one poster reads. Some show pictures of Mr. Rajapaksa and his wife meeting the pope at the Vatican in October.

“‘Political posters have made it a tool for election propaganda,”‘ Mr. Welgampola wrote. “‘Church leaders little realize the faith erosion caused by letting politics ruin the holiest event Catholics eagerly awaited for 303 years.”

The papal visit has divided the church establishment in Sri Lanka, which officially supports the government, with some priests objecting to the timing of Francis’ arrival. The Vatican usually does not schedule papal visits close to national elections, to avoid political complications.
The Archdiocese of Colombo, while confirming that the visit would take place as scheduled, asked the Sri Lankan authorities on Monday to remove election posters containing images of the pope and other symbols of the church.
The Rev. Leo Perera, the director of laity for the archdiocese, said in a letter to Sri Lankan bishops that the pope’s visit had been politicized and pointed out that postelection violence was common in Sri Lanka.

“‘Although His Holiness may not be concerned for his personal safety, his presence in a situation of turmoil and political strife will invariably sully the image of the papacy,”‘ Father Perera said. “‘Pressing ahead with the visit at this time will have more disastrous consequences for Catholics in Sri Lanka, with the impression being created that once more the church is favoring the president.”

Until last month, Mr. Rajapaksa was widely expected to win re-election. One day after he declared the early election, his health minister resigned in protest to run against him as an opposition candidate, and five other presidential loyalists also defected. Several parties in the ruling coalition have also quit the government, and election observers say the president faces a real contest now.

However, the challengers have to scramble before next month’s vote. Ruki Fernando, a Catholic human rights advocate, said in a letter to Francispublished on a citizen journalism website this week that his visit was being used to justify a shorter campaign season.
“‘This will severely limit the few opportunities opposition candidates and civil society has to engage in debates about issues around the elections,”‘ Mr. Fernando said.

About 6 percent of Sri Lanka’s 20 million people are Roman Catholics, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. Most Sri Lankans are Buddhist, but there are significant populations of Muslims and Hindus as well. (Source: New York Times)

Rs. 59 billion for Two Flyovers and 32km Road in Hambantota

[Empty Roads in Hambantota]-03/12/2014
The first thing you notice about Hambantota is those roads. They are wide, smooth and mostly empty. They also do not come cheap. The cost of the main expressways (completed as well as proposed) and the two flyovers are published with this article.

Three projects alone have cost nearly Rs. 59 billion: The Siribopura flyover, at Rs. 2.6 billion; the Mattala airport road flyover, at Rs. 3 billion; and the 32km expressway between Hambantota Port and Mattala Airport, at Rs. 53 billion (Rs. 54 billion at the current exchange rate). The last amounts to Rs. 1.6 billion rupees per kilometre.

But a massive outlay of funds has also been allocated for the construction, widening and rehabilitation of many of the smaller roads, as evident from the 2014 Development Performance Report of the Ministry of Finance and Planning’s Department of Project Management and Monitoring.

The report gives a breakdown of many B roads along with progress up to June 2014. It also reveals the allocation of respective technical evaluation committees for the project. It shows that to rehabilitate 5km of the Sandungama-Beralihena road in the Hambantota District, a sum of Rs. 86.46 million has been set aside. Another 4.8km section has been allocated Rs. 93.28 million and a third 5km stretch, Rs. 98.98 million.

The report discloses that 3.5km of Rubber Watta road in Tissamaharama has been allocated Rs. 83.46 million; 5km on Bodagama-Angunukolawewa road, Rs. 306.66 million (Rs. 61 million per km); and Rs. 69.2 million for 2km on the Malberigoda-Thiruwangodalla road.

The widening of a 3km stretch of Welipoththewela-Andaragasyaya road has been allocated Rs. 80.57 million and improvement of a 5km section of Ambakolawewa-Morayaya road, Rs. 106.61 million. Many of these projects are being carried out by the Maga Neguma Road Construction Equipment Company set up under the Ministry of Ports and Highways, a portfolio held by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The company’s website provides details. There has been no open competitive bidding process to determine whether the prices being paid are reasonable.

A large amount of funds has also been set aside for internal roads in the industrial village of Mirijjawila, although Government officials said they would not be carpeted until investors move in. “We are putting in gravel roads or we might have to redo them once investors come and there is a lot of construction and related vehicular movement going on,” one explained.
Transport experts, speaking on condition of anonymity, argue that road construction or rehabilitation is a positive growth feature. They question, however, whether the roads earmarked for costly development were selected on the basis of economic studies and on how much traffic uses them. They also ask how road construction costs have risen at a much higher rate than inflation.

Sri Lanka: Opposition presidential candidate to implement austerity

By K. Ratnayake -4 December 2014

Around 36 political parties and groups signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena on Monday. The joint platform for the Sri Lankan presidential election, scheduled for January 8, is a cynical exercise aimed at duping voters into believing that Sirisena will end the onslaught on living standards and democratic rights.
Sri Lanka Opposition Presidential Candidate to Implement Austerity by Thavam Ratna

Group-Prejudice: Sharing Some Thoughts

By Charles Sarvan -December 4, 2014

Charles Sarvan

As is well-known, the word prejudice (pre + judice) comes from the Latin and means to pre-judge; that is, to make a judgement before and without evidence. The prejudiced conclusion may, in retrospect, prove well-founded but in normal use, the implication is the opposite. Being without true grounds, prejudice indicates unreason and emotion; not having a rational basis, prejudice is difficult to dispel with reason: hence its persistence. However, through a process known in psychology as ‘rationalisation’, reasons can be found to justify one’s prejudice. Indeed, it is necessary to find such justification: if not, we are left facing the unattractive truth that we are unjust in our thought and actions, in turn damaging our self-image.

Doris Lessing wrote that there is something in human beings which makes us categorise and, on that basis, to exclude and, if possible, exploit. The phenomenon of group hostility – be it based on ethnicity or skin-colour; religion, sect or whatever – is ingrained and difficult to dismantle. People often don’t recognise that they are prejudiced. As stated earlier, prejudice is not amenable to reason and facts. Group-feelings, to varying degree, seem natural to all species. The challenge and effort is to overcome the (negative) natural in us: this effort is what sets humans apart from the other species. Frederica Jansz ofThe Sunday Leader published (17 January 2010) an article by me on racism and, what I termed, ‘exceptionalism’. The essay is now included in my Public Writings, Volume 2, and I quote from it about one reaction or strategy of the prejudiced when confronted with individuals who contradict their ‘racial’ stereotype:

“He’s not like (all) the other Tamils”. True, he’s Tamil but not one of those Tamils in general whom we distrust and dislike; want to expel or subordinate. “He’s a Tamil but not a Tamil Tamil: you know what we mean?” He or she is turned into an exception, serving only to prove the rule, to confirm the generality. Those individuals whose life and conduct confound the racist (or religious) myth and image are made exceptions so that stereotypes, unquestioned and unchallenged, continue to have their justification and existence. In this way, racist attitudes are preserved and perpetuated. (See the blanket suspicion of, if not hostility to, all Moslems where, in a mode known as ‘Block thinking’, a varied reality is fused into one indissoluble unit.) So it is that, even those who are suspicious of (if not hostile towards) Tamils in general may have a Tamil friend or friends; socialise, and be of mutual company and help. The contradiction, the inconsistency, is “rationalised” away on the basis of their friend (or friends) being an exception. It’s an almost no-win situation: if you “behave”, you are seen as an individual, made an exception; if you don’t, then not just you, but the entire group is blamed.”Read More

CJ Mohan Peiris Reminded Him of the Classic Mafia Lawyer – Dayan Jayatileka

In one of his recent articles Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha says that Dayan Jayatileka told him present Chief Justice Mohan Peiris ( then AG) ‘reminded him of the classic Mafia lawyer, who would argue even the worst case with apparent sincerity in the service of his masters. According to Raviva Wijesinha Mohan Peiris ‘began his rise to the position of Chief Justice by being Adviser to the Ministry of Defence.’

by Rajiva Wijesinha M.P.-
[Excerpts form the article ‘Enemies of the President’s Promise – 20′ by Rajiva Wijesinha M.P.]

If G L Peiris moved only gradually into seeing his principal role as advancing the agenda of the Secretary of Defence, his intellectual counterpart in the inner echelons of government, Mohan Peiris, had from the start been associated with Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. He began his rise to the position of Chief Justice by being Adviser to the Ministry of Defence. His reputation at the bar, after he had left the Attorney General’s Department, rested however on his commercial skills, and his main use initially was to advise on arms procurement for the Ministry of Defence
…..
Dayan [] was certainly of this view, but he was also perspicacious enough to note even then a weakness in Mohan that ultimately proved fatal. He told me, having seen Mohan in action with the Rajapaksa brothers, that he reminded him of the classic Mafia lawyer, who would argue even the worst case with apparent sincerity in the service of his masters. He also added that, while Mohan was able to assert his liberal beliefs with both the President and Basil, he was embarrassingly respectful to Gotabhaya. Dayan indeed imitated Mohan standing attentive with his hands behind his back as Gotabhaya asserted his opinions.
…………..
Soon after that appointment [as Attorney General] I think I noticed that Mohan was comparatively less accessible, and did not for instance return calls with the assiduity he had evinced before, but I did not take this too seriously. What was indubitably serious was the hostility he exhibited towards senior members of the Department, refusing for instance to include Yasantha [Yasantha Kodagoda] on delegations to Geneva. Shavi [Shavindra Fernando] had by then moved to the Foreign Ministry as Legal Advisor, so he came anyway, but the much more dynamic Yasantha was obviously persona non grata. Instead Mohan initially sent a couple of youngsters who had no idea what was going on, and contributed nothing. Later he sent a more senior man called Nawaz, who was more responsive to issues but obviously could not speak at the Council, an exercise in which Yasantha used to be most impressive.

But soon after that session [UNHRC special session on Sri Lanka, May 2009] I sensed that something had changed. Dayan told me later that Mohan had expected to make the final speech at the session, whereas Dayan had wanted me to do it, he himself having spoken at the inception of the session. Mohan had seemed happy with this, but Dayan said he had prepared a speech, and was not very pleased that it had to be omitted. And I suspect the publicity both of us received had been an irritant, since cutouts of us appeared, along with Minister Samarasinge, and Mohan himself was hardly mentioned.
…………..
I should add that I told Dayan I thought we had also made a mistake in refusing to go out to dinner that night with the Minister and Mohan to celebrate [after the special session of UNHRC in May 2009 was over]. I was actually exhausted, and simply wanted to sit down quietly in the comfort of Dayan’s home, but I think this was seen as unsocial and arrogant of us, and probably the Minister and Mohan were not very happy that we left them to themselves. Certainly the next time I saw Mohan, at the ordinary session of the Council in June (I had stayed on in Europe, to attend the wedding of a friend in Hamburg), he told me that the Secretary of Defence was very angry with me.

Read the full article here

Dullas naked with racketeers

THURSDAY, 04 DECEMBER 2014 

The treasurer of the SLFP Minister Dullas Alahapperuma speaking at a press conference held at the head office of the SLFP yesterday (3rd) said if allegations of drug or ethanol racket against any member of the SLFP are proved the member would be expelled from the party. The Minister further said the allegations should be proved with evidence.

The biggest allegations by seniors of the SLFP against Rajapaksa faction is that the party is being manipulated by heroin and ethanol racketeers. Recently, Minister Janaka Bandara Tennekone lamented in Dambulla stating the situation in the party is grave due to the influence of racketeers.

The Prime Minister’s name was involved in the biggest haul of heroin that was seized in Sri Lanka recently while it was revealed that several ministers and a Parliamentarian of the government were directly involved in the ethanol racket.

In such a background the statement of Minister Dullas Alahapperuma is to protect thieves and racketeers say political analysts. They point out that the President had recently said that the files of all the thieves and racketeers are with him and this statement by the President proves that the gang of thieves and racketeers are protected by the gang leader.

Amir Ali offered Rs. 50 m instead of deputy ministerial portfolio!

 

Thursday, 04 December 2014 

Amir Ali of minister Badurdeen’s group, who is to be appointed to parliament to fill the vacancy created following the resignation of national list government MP A.H.M. Azwer, is refusing to attend parliament until he is given a deputy ministerial portfolio, say government sources.

This group’s demand is that they would support the government only if they are given a MP position as well as a deputy ministerial portfolio.

However, following Buddhist extremist Bodu Bala Sena’s declaration that it would support the government, Amir’s supporters and mosque representatives have stressed that he should not go to parliament to support the government.

Yesterday (03) night, president Mahinda Rajapaksa held a crucial discussion with Risath Badurdeen and Amir at Temple Trees, where the president ruled out giving a deputy ministerial portfolio. After the meeting, Risath and Amir had met with minister Basil Rajapaksa and said they would support if they are given a deputy ministerial portfolio. Then, Basil has proposed that instead of a deputy ministerial portfolio, a sum of Rs. 50 million could be given. Risath and Amir have shown some agreement, but asked Basil to get that offer raised to Rs. 100 m. if Amir attends parliament, you will comprehend as to what actually had taken place.

Why can’t ministers answer about their files? – Maithri

04 December 2014

Common candidate Maithripala Sirisena has asked why government ministers are unable to respond to questions posed to them about files and corruption.

Sirisena’s comment was posted on Twitter in response to the walk out staged by governing party members Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and MP Ramesh Pathirana from a political debate on a private television station.
“Finally, files aren’t attacking me but to themselves. Why ministers get away when people questioning about their files,” Sirisena posted on his official Twitter account.

On Attempted Misappropriation Of Confiscated African Ivory

By Nagananda Kodituwakku -December 4, 2014 

Nagananda Kodituwakku

Poaching of African Elephants

The entire civilized world is up in arms against the poaching of the helpless African elephant considered an endangered species. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is one of the progressive steps taken towards arresting of this serious crime. Under the CITES regulations trading of ivory is internationally banned and condemned.

Tens of thousands of African elephants are being killed annually by poachers because of the high demand for Ivory worldwide. CITES believes that ‘destroying of seized ivory is a signal of the signatories to the CITES, to enhance law enforcement against illegal ivory trade, that will support international action against elephant poaching.’

The CITES further believes that the transparency in destruction of seized ivory makes an important public statement and thus it is the best practice to streamline the intended robust ivory stock management system.

The CITES considers that when a country takes a decision to publicly destroy its confiscated ivory stockpiles, it presents a unique opportunity to draw public attention to the scale, nature and impact of this serious crime and to let it act as a deterrent to the illegal trade.

The exception permitted under the Resolution [Conf. 9.10 (Rev. CoP 15)], adopted by CITES in 1994, and updated in 2010 is the bona fide use of ivory specimens for scientific, educational and identification purposes only.

A Sri Lankan Experience

Sri Lanka Customs on 14^th May 2012 seized a stockpile of African ivory valued over US $3 million, which was being smuggled out from Kenya and was on its way to the international market through Dubai via the Port of Colombo. The Customs after a formal inquiry (Case No: CINT/HQB/022/2012/CCR/2197) confiscated the entire shipment, pending destruction of the ivory in public as per the international law.

Thereafter however, an unusual turn of events took place with the intervention of the Presidential Secretariat expressing interest in the appropriation of the confiscated ivory, stopping the destruction of the ivory as per CITES Regulations.

On 19^th Dec 2012 there was a written directive from the President’s Office to the Customs to handover the confiscated ivory to the Presidential Secretariat. However, an unexpected media exposure on the whole issue compelled the authorities to suspend the intended unlawful action.

CITES Bangkok Conference

In the meantime at the CITES Conference on Combatting of Wild Life Crime and Upholding of Rule of Lawheld in Bangkok from 10 – 12 of March 2013, this illegal attempt was questioned by Dr Kala Malqueeny, the Principal Counsel for the General Council of the CITES, bringing dishonor to the country in the eyes of the international community. Yet, the Sri Lankan representative to the conference, Ms Rohini Marasinghe, (a Judge in the Court of Appeal) vehemently denied the accusations claiming that it was baseless and manifestly unfounded.

Government should stop suicidal actions that bring dishonor to the country

The Government at least now should stop deceiving the people of Sri Lanka at will. It should learn proper lessons from distasteful actions of this nature and should take initiatives to safeguard the good name of the country here and abroad.

The need to adhere to CITES regulations

It is now over two years since the seizure of the stockpile of ivory and over one and half years from the CITES Conference held in Bangkok. This makes any independent observer conclude that the authorities are waiting till the time is ripe for another attempt on the ivory.

Therefore the government should let the Customs act as required by law in respect of the confiscated stock of ivory without further interfering with this international issue.

Ceylon Tea losing competiveness: Research study

By Rishar Saleem-2014-12-04

Ceylon Finance Today: Ceylon Tea is gradually losing its competitive position in the global market, a frontline university don cautioned in an interview with Ceylon FT.
"Intense global competition has affected the once famous 'Ceylon Tea' that was distinguished for its quality and taste. Issues such as low yields, high cost in production, labor issues have exacerbated the Sri Lanka tea industry's position" University of Sri Jayawardenapura University Professor of Accounting, Information Systems and Chairman of the Board of Management Studies of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Professor Kennedy
D. Gunawardena told Ceylon FT.

At the same time, he said, Sri Lanka's production of only orthodox teas and not diversifying to value-added teas, had further diminished itself from the market share.

These are the alarming findings reached and revealed by the study, which is an analysis of Sri Lanka's Tea industry. To find the key factors that were affecting its exports, to remain competitive in the market., Sri Lankan Tea industry was compared both on a micro and macro levels, in the study while arguments from various academics and industry experts too taken into deliberation, he said.
Within this framework, the role of the government and its policy in the context of increasing exports is presented so as to gain further insight to assess the future sustainability of the industry, he said.

India accuses Navy of threatening fishermen at gun point

December 4, 2014

About 3,000 fishermen, who put out to sea from this coastal town today, were allegedly threatened at gun point by Sri Lankan naval personnel and nets of 15 boats damaged, P Sesuraja, according to

President of Fishermen’s Association, the Indian media reported.

The fishermen had set sail after a five-day gap in 650 boats but had to return empty handed as the naval personnel
blocked their passage and and sent them back at gun point in the Palk Straits, he told reporters.

The Lankan personnel also damaged the nets of 15 boats, he alleged.
At least 38 Indian fishermen lodged in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna prison for alleged poaching are on a fast unto death demanding their early release.

The Indian consulate office in Jaffna has alerted the Indian High Commission officials here after the Indian prisoners began their protest in the jail, prison officials said today. The fishermen were arrested for poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

Last month, Sri Lanka released five Indian fishermen,who had been sentenced to death on drug trafficking charges, after a presidential pardon from Mahinda Rajapaksa.

As many as 6,483 Indian nationals are in jails in 68 countries, with a maximum of 1,469 being detained in Saudi Arabia, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Infographic: Rajapaksas Invested More In One Defence University Than In All Other Universities Combined

December 4, 2014 |

Last year the Rajapaksa regime invested more in one Defence Academy than it did in all the universities in Sri Lanka. The Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), was allocated 16.3 billion rupees in capital expenditure last year, while all the other universities in Sri Lanka – Colombo, Peradeniya, Moratuwa etc -  were only allocated 9.7 billion rupees in capital expenditure. To make matters worse. KDU had just under 1500 students, while all other universities had 88,000+ students.

“Non-officer cadets studying at KDU must pay fees of multiple lakhs. Therefore, the government is massively subsidising fee-paying education.  It is clear from this policy that the Rajapaksa regime cares little for education – the country’s and people’s hope for the future – or for free education, which Sri Lankans have enjoyed for over half a century.” an economist told Colombo Telegraph.