Burma’s tourism star on the rise as Thailand tries to bounce back

Balloons float over the famous pagodas of Bagan, Burma. Pic: AP.

By Casey Hynes Jan 10, 2015

The future just keeps looking brighter for Burma (Myanmar), at least from a business perspective. International investments have gathered pace since the country’s march toward democratization began in 2010. The tourism industry has been booming recently, thanks to increased flights, ease of travel, and the government’s increasingly open attitude toward the international community. Ancient sites such as the temples of Bagan, Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda, and the archipelagos of Myeik are becoming priority items on more travelers’ Southeast Asia bucket lists, so much so that the Burmese government expects 2015 to be a banner year.

An estimated five million tourists will descend on Burma and its ancient attractions, according to Xinhua News. That will be a significant increase over 2014, which saw a record-breaking 3.05 million people visit what was a pariah state only a few years ago. If the estimate is correct, tourism growth this year will be an even bigger leap than between 2013 and 2014 (2.05 million tourists visited in 2013). The rapid rise in Burma’s popularity meant more than $1 billion in tourism revenue last year, according to Xinhua News.

The government plans to open a Tourism Development Bank that will loan money to tour companies and entrepreneurs interested in opening travel-related businesses to cater to the wave of visitors, TTR Weekly reported.

Burma will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum later from Jan. 22-29, further signaling the industry’s important to the burgeoning economy. The Columbus Dispatch, an American newspaper, predicted that Burma, alongside other developing nations such as Cuba, will be a “hot” tourism destination this year. The publication also noted that Asian cruises could become a major travel trend this year, especially as countries such as China amp up their cruise tourism capabilities.

Cambodia is another country eager to grow its tourism industry. Tourism officials from Cambodia and China recently signed an agreement to enhance travel between the two countries, bolstering the tour companies and travel services already in place. A rise in the number of affluent or middle-class Chinese has meant more Chinese travelers to Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand.

But Cambodia and Burma could well become attractive destinations for Chinese travelers, especially if there is an increase in tour services and quality hotels and resorts. Cambodia will also host a tourism conference this year, the World Conference on Tourism and Culture, organized by the UNWTO and UNESCO. This could signify Cambodia’s potential importance to ASEAN tourism, and is an opportunity for the government to prove that it is ready to ramp up its offerings and attract a wider range of travelers.

(READ MORE: Thailand tourism down, but not out)

Thailand, a neighbor of both Burma and Cambodia, has long been a prominent travel destination for tourists from around the world. But the country suffered blows to its tourism industry in 2014 due to political unrest, the declaration of martial law, and a military coup last May. The tourism sector struggled to rebound after the volatile spring, despite theassurances of safety from the military junta. Tourism numbers were down 6.6 percent overall for 2014, according to The Nation.

Certain areas of Thailand, Pattaya in particular, will also likely be affected by the collapse of the Russian ruble. Pattaya is an especially popular vacation spot for Russian travelers, as is Phuket, but Business Insider says they may be tightening their belts during this difficult economic time.

Dispelling The Weight Loss Myth About Chia Seeds

Black Chia Seeds

by Rachelle Chandraan - Nov 8, 2014
Chia is an edible seed that comes from the desert flowering plant in the mint family called Salvia hispanica. You may have seen chia sprouts growing on the novelty planters called ‘Chia Pets’, but historically, the seeds have been the most important part of the plant. In pre-Columbian times they were a main component of the Aztec and Mayan diets and were the basic survival ration of Aztec warriors. They are prized them for their ability to provide sustainable energy, in fact it’s believed that one tablespoon was believed to sustain an individual for 24 hours. The Aztecs also used Chia medicinally to stimulate saliva flow and to relieve joint pain and sore skin.
Dispelling the Weight Loss Myth About Chia Seeds by Thavam Ratna

தமிழர்களை மறந்து போன புதிய ஜனாதிபதி! மனோ!

[ வெள்ளிக்கிழமை, 09 சனவரி 2015, 07:04.37 PM GMT ]

தேர்தல் காலங்களில் தமிழர்களின் ஆதரவைக் கோரிப் பெறுவது. தேர்தல் முடிந்ததும் தமிழர்களை உதாசீனம் செய்து உதறித் தள்ளுவது. இதுதான் தென்னிலங்கை அரசுகளின் காலாகால பரவணிப் பழக்கம். அதை இன்று ஜனாதிபதித் தேர்தல் முடிந்தவுடனேயே செயலில் காட்டத் தொடங்கி விட்டீர்களே!"

என்று புதிய பிரதமர் ரணில் விக்கிரமசிங்க மீது சீறி வீழ்ந்தார் ஜனநாயக மக்கள் முன்னணியின் தலைவர் மனோ கணேசன்.

புதிய ஜனாதிபதி, புதிய பிரதமர் ஆகியோர் பதவியேற்கும் நிகழ்வு கொழும்பு சுதந்திர சதுக்கத்தில் இடம்பெற்றது. அந்த நிகழ்வை ஒட்டி இடம்பெற்ற உரையாடல் ஒன்றின் போதே புதிய பிரதமர் மீது இப்படிப் பாய்ந்து விழுந்தார் மனோ கணேசன்.

பதவியேற்ற பின்னர் உரையாற்றிய புதிய ஜனாதிபதி மைத்திரிபால சிறிசேன, தமது வெற்றிக்கு உழைத்தவர்களைப் பெயர் குறிப்பிட்டு பட்டியலிட்டு நன்றி பாராட்டினார். ஆனால் தமிழ்க் கட்சிகளின் தலைவர்களான சம்பந்தர், மனோ கணேசன், திகாம்பரம், போன்றவர்களின் பெயர்களையோ, கட்சிகளையோ குறிப்பிட்டு நன்றி கூறாமல், வேண்டுமென்றே தவிர்ப்பவர் போல, தமது உரையை அவர் முடித்துக் கொண்டார்.

இதனால் சீற்றமடைந்த மனோ கணேசன் தனது எரிச்சலை புதிய பிரதமரிடம் கொட்டித் தீர்த்தார்.

ரணில் விக்கிரமசிங்க, சரத் பொன்சேகா, சந்திரிகா குமாரதுங்க, சம்பிக்க ரணவக்க, ஹக்கீம், ரிசாட் பதியுதீன் போன்றவர்களின் பெயர்களை எல்லாம் குறிப்பிட்ட புதிய ஜனாதிபதிக்கு ஏனோ சம்பந்தன், மனோ கணேசன், திகாம்பரம் போன்றோரின் பெயர்கள் மட்டும் தெரியவில்லை; அல்லது நினைவுக்கு வரவில்லை. இவர்களில் சில தலைவர்கள் ஜனாதிபதி மைத்திரிபால சிறிசேனவை ஆதரிக்க ஆரம்பத்தில் முன்வரவில்லை. அவர்களின் மக்கள் ஏற்கனவே மைத்திரிபாலவை ஆதரிக்க முன்வந்து விட்டமையால் வேறு வழியின்றி தமது ஆதரவை வழங்க அவர்கள் முன்வந்தார்கள். அவர்களுக்கு எல்லாம் நன்றி கூறத் தெரிந்த புதிய ஜனாதிபதியின் கணிப்பில் தமிழர் தலைவர்கள் மட்டும் தட்டுப்படாமல் போய்விட்டார்கள்."

"தேர்தலில் தோற்ற முன்னாள் ஜனாதிபதி மஹிந்த ராஜபக்‌ஷ, தம்மை வரவேற்பதாக ஹம்பாந்தோட்டை, மெதமுலன மக்கள் முன்னிலையில்  உரையாற்றினார்.

"நாட்டின் சகல பகுதிகளிலும் உள்ள மக்கள் தமக்கு வாக்களித்தனர் என்று அங்கு கூறிய அவர் வடக்கு, கிழக்கு மற்றும் மலையக மக்களே தமக்கு வாக்களிக்காமல் விட்டு தோற்கடித்துள்ளனர் என்ற சாரப்பட உரையாற்றினார்.

இந்தத் தேர்தலில் தமக்கு தோல்வியையும், மைத்திரிபால சிறிசேனவுக்கு வெற்றியையும் தேடிக் கொடுத்தவர்கள் யார்? என்பதை இனத்தின் பெயரைக் குறிப்பிடாமல், அவர் வெளிப்படையாகக் கோடி காட்டிப் பேசியுள்ளார்.

ஆனால் அந்த மக்கள் மூலம் வெற்றியைப் பெற்றவருக்கு மட்டும் அதன் தாற்பரியம் விளங்கவில்லை; புரியவில்லை.

"இந்தப் போக்கு புதுமையன்று. இப்படி நடப்பதுதான் தென்னிலங்கை அரசுத் தரப்புக்களின் பரவணிப் பழக்கம். தமிழர்களின் உதவியைப் பெற்றுக் கொண்டு அவர்களின் காலை வாரி விடுவது அவர்களின் போக்கு. அதனை - இத்தகைய வெற்றியை, தமது ஒற்றுமையான வாக்களிப்பு மூலம் உங்களுக்குப் பெற்றுத் தந்த தமிழர்களுக்கு பதவியேற்ற அன்றே, அதிகாரத்துக்கு வந்த உடனேயே. நீங்கள் காட்டுவீர்கள் என்று நாம் நம்பவில்லை." என்று சீறினார் மனோ கணேசன்.

அவரை சமாதானப்படுத்த முயன்ற புதிய பிரதமர் ரணில் விக்கிரமசிங்க, இது குறித்து மனோ கணேசனுடன் விரிவாக உரையாடி பிரச்சினையை தீர்த்து வைக்கும் ஒழுங்கைத் தாம் செய்வார் என்று உறுதியளித்தார் என்று அறிய வந்தது.

Minority Power

 January 10, 2015 

The people have made their verdict absolutely clear and all have to respect that. Sri Lanka has a new President. It’s a clear mandate for change; the onus is now on Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe to deliver. No more false promises, no more unfulfilled promises. The time has come to relieve the people of their many burdens.
The country’s minorities made a strident and monumental contribution in this great election victory for the common candidate. It would not be incorrect to state that their vote was instrumental in enthroning Sirisena. The entire North and East virtually voted en-bloc for the common opposition candidate. They defied all odds to exercise their suffrage and make it known to the world. Their preference for president was crystal clear. Never in its history had the country witnessed such unprecedented unity for a presidential candidate from the minorities.

Much is expected from new president Maithripala Sirisena. Maintaining law and order, appointing a new Cabinet and strengthening democracy are his top priorities. The process of abolishing the authoritarian executive presidential system and replacing it with an executive Cabinet of Ministers responsible to Parliament should be done as a matter of urgency.
Repealing the 18th Amendment to the Constitution with legislation to establish strengthened and independent institutions, including a Judicial Services Commission, a Police Commission, a Public Service Commission, an Elections Commission, a Commission against Bribery and Corruption and a Human Rights Commission is sine qua non.
It is also time to give back the lost dignity of the minorities. It is up to the new administration to regain the waning confidence of minorities and make them excited participants in the system working hard for their beloved nation and people. The key requirement here is dignity and no one should be deprived of it.

In the past I have written a few pieces in which I ventured to challenge Mahinda Rajapaksa’s rather ill-advised strategy to postulate an uncompromising anti-minority policy tainted with majoritarian-infused adrenalin and undiluted xenophobic rigour, a toxic combination never witnessed before in the political history of our beloved nation.
I cannot recall any previous President subjecting minorities to such pain and pressure. This unabating trend over time got worse. The administration too got incomprehensibly insensitive. What made Mahinda Rajapaksa do this? Who were the protagonists and other coalescing forces to this kind of misguided, injudicious stratagem? Did Mahinda Rajapaksa ever give thought to its flip side?

Many were the victims in the past and contemporary history who either perished or drifted into oblivion for not acceding to common sense and sound reason? Marginalising minorities was such a bad policy. In business just like in politics one has got to be ever vigilant of competitors and their activity. You should not only be able to see the apparent but penetrate further to see the not-so-apparent. Always say what if?
Surprisingly the campaign was lacking sound insight from its inception. A malaise that afflicts the under- prepared. A campaign which is devoid of versatility and is not politically savvy is vulnerable. The cardinal rule in life is to read and understand the writing on the wall.

Affirmative minority action
You don’t become a loser because of Uva, the issues were too corrosive and ingrained and denial did not do much. Mahinda Rajapaksa had the capacity and charisma to reach out to the minorities had he only shown sincere and genuine concern for minority issues. Had he taken affirmative action, a different outcome could have been possible.
It may not come as a surprise that even Velupillai Prabhakaran was one such intransigent specimen. Had he acquiesced to strong, intelligent counsel, the nation would not have lost so many lives fighting a futile war.
In Mahinda Rajapaksa’s case it was all the more baffling because he entertained such overt dynastic ambitions and finally gave everything on a platter. It sounds like such an anti-climax. The discerning witnessed no wisdom or any semblance of pragmatism for his persistent anti-minority conspiracies.

Ably choreographed and bedecked by the family, the BBS carried out their act with immaculate precision. Obsequious to the palace yet spewing ear-shattering vitriol, the BBS were an accompanying liability never, ever confronted. Their degrading theatrics hopefully will be captured on celluloid screen sometime in the future by an insightful film director much to the mirth, hilarity and amusement of the nation.
As we deliver a huge kick to a ravenous and acquisitive legacy let us sincerely hope we have learnt huge lessons from this calamity. Let this be a lesson to all future leaders who salivate to tread the racial path for petty political gain.
The war is over and Mahinda Rajapaksa was the indisputable hero, none dare to question this achievement. None will be able to take this unique position from him. The people were saved from the shackles of misery and penury. Many Sri Lankans consider 18 May 2009 as the new date of independence. The nation was liberated and relieved.

Common sense should dictate the best course of action from that point would have been to win the confidence of all people including all minorities in the arduous journey towards nation-building and national reconciliation. The war had dismembered our collective psyche and the nation was restless for amelioration and deliverance. In this moment of sombre expectation came further pummelling not just to the minorities but to all including the majority.
Under the guise of a very strange genre of sanctimony-laced patriotism emerged the grand project to rake in all and sundry. People started to reel under unbearable taxes and duties. The cost of living was northward bound and was unstoppable.
About nation-building Maithripala Sirisena had this to say to Padma Rao Sundarji of Hindustan Times on the eve of the election: “We needed a nation-building project which can’t happen unless all factions come together and now – this is precisely that dream coming true. It is this diversity that will ensure success. We consider ourselves blessed to have this disparity.

“If Sri Lankan voters were uncomfortable about it, they would have expressed resentment weeks ago. But no such thing has happened. On the contrary, there is a big surge to vote for me.”
About militarising the north he said: “I will ensure that the army will exit civil administration altogether and give local police and civil servants that task. I only said that existing army cantonments like those in Palali in Jaffna will not be shut down. And of course I will act totally in consonance with the security apparatus and our generals. The point is, all democratic Tamil parties of the TNA are backing me right now.”
Mr. President I wish you all the best and let’s get to work.

Tamils Within The Circuit Of Power Or At The Habitual Barricade?

By S. Sivathasan -January 9, 2015

S. Sivathasan

The hour produced the man. The nation endorsed his credentials. The leader of choice Maithripala Sirisena, who scored a resounding victory is now President by right.

The nation has spoken loud and clear. The mandate is unmistakeable. Cleanse the past and build anew. All join in the process the Government would say. Respond positively, Tamils would urge of the TNA.

 Change of Tack

The caption of the article, is the critical question for the Tamil leadership. A response cannot be evaded after the common collective has scored a landmark victory. Tamils have made their contribution, setting aside their past disappointments. When a community, very much in a mellowed temper thrusts its tested leadership into the corridors of power, it certainly has an expectation that their trust be respected.

Can the leadership veer from the circuit of power and opt for the habitual barricade? The time is now to redeem a pledge, though unwritten it may be. The ethnic question vexing the nation for so long needs to be resolved by the TNA, with goodwill prevailing all round. It is constrained to do it, not by being with the government, but by being of it.

At a moment when right has triumphed, should weird doubts arise? Tamil leaderships have been weighed down for decades by unfortunate experiences. Distaste for power developed from independence to now, much among the Tamils, though not with the forceful and the percipient. Leaderships sensitive to mass sentiment and unresponsive to compulsive needs paid a price. Both leaders and led were badly affected for at least two generations.

Patience for Incremental Advance

One generation lost itself in the sedate philosophy of non-violence. The other wasted away in impetuous violence. No results were yielded by either. The next has to veer from both and the onus is on the leadership. Strategy and tactic, with diplomacy for kinetics and TNA as the vehicle, have now set out on this arduous journey. The first mile is covered in the last five years. Destination is a generation away. Impatience is not a sorter of matters. By being in a hurry neither the young nor the mature can do much.Read More

Sri Lanka: Sirisena Sworn In As 6th President Of Sri Lanka

( January 9, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Sri Lanka President-Elect Maithiripala Sirisena was sworn in as the 6th Executive President of ‘Sri Lanka’ before Justice K. Sripavan on Friday at the Independence Square in Colombo on Friday evening around 6.20 p.m. Mr Maithiripala had declined to take oath before the current Sri Lankan Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, who is considered as a political appointee after the impeachment motion against the 43rd Chief Justice Ms Shiranee Bandaranayke, news sources in Colombo said. Later, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the president of the United National Party and the leader of the opposition in the current SL parliament took oath as the Prime Minister before the SL President Maithiripala Sirisena at the same venue.

Justice K. Sripavan is a Tamil and a senior most judge in the Sri Lankan Supreme Court.

Article 32 (1) of the SL Constitution specifies that the President elect should be sworn in before the Chief Justice or any judge of the Supreme Court. It has been the practice of all predecessors to take oath before the Chief Justice.

Maithiripala Sirisena addressing the event said: “I will discharge my duties taking into consideration of the future of the future generation. I have no intention of becoming President for another term. I thank UNP, Jathika Hela Urumaya, Tamil National Alliance, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and other political parties that had nominated me as the common candidate of the opposition and especially the former President Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga. I thank the outgoing President Mahinda Rajapakse also.”

In the meantime, TNA Parliamentary Group Leader R.Sampanthan, in a media release said that it was essential to resolve the national question urgently while tackling the grave matters that face the country. He thanked the voters in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

“New President Maithripala Sirisena has to urgently address many of the grave issues faced by the country such as the resolution of the national question so that the Tamil-speaking people of Sri Lanka will be the true beneficiaries of democracy,” he said.

A Challenge For Change

By Nimalka Fernando -January 9, 2015

Dr. Nimalka Fernando

Retruning back from Nedunkerni and Mulathivu after an election monitoring exercise today I was horrified to see two huge armed cars and vehicles carrying soldiers near the Kelaniya bridge. Eventhough I could have avoided the visit the message I received challenged me as a human rights defender to be present with the people as they exercised their right to vote. On the otherhand I am glad that the visit now compelled me to share with the Sri Lankan citizens who will be definitely celebrating another victory the massive political challenge before us.

Monitoring elections is tiring if we take a political vision into this process. As a member of Mothers and Daughters of Lanka I agreed to be involved in monitoring realising the challenge that this the process is intrisically linked to voter education and literacy on democracy. I am also glad that the process we initiated during the Northern Provincial Council Election has now paved the way to develop community based interactions for reconcilitation bnetween Sinhala and Tamil women. For us this vote was important since this very interaction was often disrupted in the environment of surveillance nurtured by the Gotabaya regime.

We experienced that the space to conduct a free and fair election has been totally eroded beyond democratic norms. There is credible evidence to indicate that the Mahinda regime used Executive powerwhich instigated fear in our society.

From all the reported election related violence and violations, we saw the blatant manner in which executive powers were utilised in favour of one candidate. That is Mahinda Rajapaksa. From the use of state resources to the inaction of the local police to remove illegal banners and cutouts, the political violence unleashed against the joint opposition rallies, attack on opposition leaders and their election propaganda offices clearly demonstrated that our call to hold free and fair elections was totally rejected and ignored. During the past few weeks our members in several districts continued to share information related to the violations and violence which are now well know and published in the media. I believe that election monitoring is not a process which is limited to tabulating violence and violations. Monitoring should also play an important role in facilitating a level playing field essential to holding free and fair elections. Our first experience in election monitoring was gained in 1994 when we as members of MDL participated in monitoring the then Presidnetial Election which was also marred with violence and intimidation. It is unfortunate that we see the same violent trends and the use of executive powers sustained and continued over 20 years in our country. As citizen’s we have not been able to effectively address the use of state resources , election violence and breaking of election laws over the past three decades.

It is ironical that a country and a leadership which boasted of ending terrorism and terrorism related violence was not been able to create mechanisms and a culture which respect the freedom to exercise one of the basic democratic rights – the right to use our vote in a free and fair manner. We saw how the military was used during the Northern Provincial Council for election campaigns. The same fear continued today which made me rush to Vanni.

As I toured Vanni meeting women the election while remaining unreal to them posed challenges to me. Some women told me that the Sinhala leaders have not looked after them. They also told us that this vote is a reflection of the need to live freely in the North. I was informed with tears in their eyes that the samurdhi receipients were called to the office at Nedunkerni with the promise of some funds. Women have come leaving all their other tasks some even borrowing money to travel. As officials were not able to continue with the discussion as the crowd was dispersed by the District Secretary the women had to go back home with nothing in their hand. This brought pain to them.

Receipients of Samurdhi who are the poorest of the poor were herded to attend the rallies of Mahinda Rajapaksa the candidate. They had no option. Fearing that their only means of survival would be removed from them the women went. Eventhough on the day of the election we declare that `it has been peacefully concluded’ lot of effort goes into ensure such an environment. This situation is regretable since democratic norms and practices are not respected as a natural norm in our country. Both local and international civil society has to keep on reminding the Sri Lankan Executive that there are obligations and duties related to ensuring democratic norms. Under Mahinda regime the situation has worsened with the state and government combining develop a an authocracy to control the grass-roots .

The smaller units of political powers in the village which is called our voter constitutency is fully controlled by the Executive. The leader of the Pradeshiya Sabaha, the local authority who is a UPFA supporter being a thug, a person connected to the underworld and closely involved with the member of Parliament is wielding his/her power in the electorate. All appointments and benefits are designed and defined to keep the poorest of the poor under the control of the political authroity and their political power, the right to vote is in the grips of the executive. Therefore directoves issued by the can be ignored and rejected. Eventhough he managed to stop few incidents related to distribution of `gifts’ during the election period the Commissioner could not control the entire process.

We as civil society continued to campaign for the estbalishment of an independent election commission following yje Indian example and the introduction of an electronic voting system. Unfortunately Sri Lanka has failed to take good lessons from it’s neigbour in South Asia. Our efforts will have to be strengthened for the future. The forces who pledged a change promised a transformation of the existing political culture. I have seen `this hope’ as people came to vote in the North.

The vote is an indication that the campaign for democracy, reconciliation and demilitarisation has emerged victorious. But we have a tremendous challenge. I am compelled to say that the North has voted for change. It is our duty to deliver the freedom for the people. The women in the North who are tillers of the land want their rights. Their faces and tears once again reminded me of the difference between my reality and their life experiences. The massive difference of votes between the swan and the beetle leaf in the Tamil homeland has to be understood properly. Sinhala political leader who are going to lead this country towards changhe has been trusted by them to take them towards this new future. I hope and pray we will not let them down.

I salute the citizen’s of Sri Lanka for igniting their conscience after several years.

An unknown angel

An election to turn the country upside-down

Jan 9th 2015 | SINGAPORE | Asia

IN AN election upset unthinkable even weeks ago, Maithripala Sirisena is to become Sri Lanka’s new president. Mahinda Rajapaksa, the incumbent since 2005, conceded defeat even before all the votes were counted. Mr Sirisena has won with something more than 51% of the vote, to his opponent’s 48% (around 1% of the vote is split among 17 other candidates). As expected, Mr Sirisena won in constituencies dominated by the Muslim and mainly Hindu Tamil minorities. Tamils have never forgiven Mr Rajapaksa for the brutal way in which the army won its 26-year civil war against the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009. Muslims resent his government’s apparent tolerance of hardline Buddhist groups guilty of harassment and violence.
But Mr Rajapaksa’s share of the votes among the mainly Buddhist, ethnic-Sinhalese majority (some 70% of the population) also fell, despite a thriving economy. The popularity he earned through victory over the Tigers has been eroded by worries about corruption, the cost of living, as well as his autocratic tendencies and penchant for appointing whole branches of his family tree to high office.
After a campaign marred by violence, intimidation and press bias, many of Mr Rajapaksa’s opponents had feared he would cheat to win. In particular they worried he would deploy the army to prevent voters in the Tamil-majority north from reaching the polls. Their suspicion turns out to have been unfounded—or to have underestimated the determination and robustness of the election commission. Turnout was high and Mr Rajapaksa has promised an orderly transfer of power.
In the campaign Mr Rajapaksa had taken to warning voters that Mr Sirisena, who was a member of his cabinet until November, is an “unknown angel”. But voters chose him over the devil they know.
It is true that Mr Sirisena is something of an untested quantity. Certainly he is not an obvious representative of minority rights. He defected from Mr Rajapaksa’s government only in November, one day after having dinner with him. He was acting as defence minister in the final weeks of the war in 2009, and has said that, as president, he would ensure that Mr Rajapaksa and the army do not face war-crimes charges. But as a consensus candidate among a divided opposition, he appealed especially to rural voters: he calls himself a farmer, speaks only Sinhala and has said he would govern from the agricultural heartland of Polonnaruwa. Mr Sirisena, at 63, is six years younger than the president and has spent four decades in politics.
So he offers a different brand of Sinhala Buddhist nationalism, not its repudiation. However, he has promised sweeping changes within 100 days, including constitutional amendments, that would undo some of the changes Mr Rajapaksa oversaw which had seemed to be laying the foundations for a family dynasty: doing away with the limit of two five-year terms on the presidency and giving it yet more executive powers. Some of Mr Sirisena’s other policies sound even more ambitious: the end of corruption; energy security; even a “moral society” without drugs, liquor or cigarettes.
In any event the defeat of Mr Rajapaksa will be welcomed by the West, where concerns about his human-rights record—and the failure either to investigate the end of the war or to attempt true national reconciliation—had led to constant strains in relations. India will also hope for an easier relationship with Sri Lanka under Mr Sirisena, and a weakening of its neighbour’s growing ties with China, which Mr Rajapaksa had nurtured. For its part, China will be shocked at the defeat of a man it has done much to help. It will have to scramble to make friends with the country’s new leader. However his presidency turns out, the victory of Mr Sirisena is also one for democracy, which has turfed out a leader who had used the democratic process to pursue divisive, majoritarian policies, and to build the groundwork for a regime to last in perpetuity.

730 Days of Vilification Ends Today; Justice Grows Near – Shirani A. Bandaranayake

(Dr. Shirani A. Bandaranayake)

09/01/2015 

The 9th of January marks 2 years since the unjust and unlawful impeachment vote was taken up in Parliament. It is therefore symbolic that the people have voted for a change; a change into good governance, a change into anti-corruption and a change into an independent judiciary. 730 days of vilification ends today. As justice grows near, my fervent wish for this nation and its people is a prosperous future and a compassionate government – one that favours justice over safeguarding the unjust, integrity over corruption and rights of the masses over a minority elite few.

Dr. Shirani A. Bandaranayake,
43rd Chief Justice of the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka

SRI LANKA: AHRC Welcomes People’s Victory and Calls for CJ’s Resignation / Impeachment

January 9, 2015

A decisive new stage in the political life of Sri Lanka has arisen as a result of the people’s verdict, which overwhelmingly affirms the commitment of Sri Lankans to democracy and the rule of law. Victory to the new President Maithripala Sirisena and the New Democratic Alliance is a mandate given by the people to carry out promised constitutional and other reforms. Above all, this mandate is for the immediate abolition of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which will automatically revive the 17th Amendment; and it should proceed to the abolition of all the obnoxious clauses of the 1978 Constitution, which are obstacles to the enforcement of the rule of law and democracy in the country.

In this regard, it must be noted that there is no other place in the world that has granted the Executive President such powers to exercise absolute power. Countries such as the United States and France have circumscribed the powers of the President by keeping their Presidents bound by an extensive framework of institutions and by firm traditions to uphold democracy and the rule of law. The obnoxious clauses in Sri Lanka must go as soon as possible. All obstructions for people’s participation, such as curtailment of media freedom and attacks on journalists and other opinion makers should come to an end, so that the people are allowed to participate in bringing about the desired democratic reforms.

A Salute to the Commissioner of Elections

In the ouster of a government by a free and fair election, Sri Lanka has once again proved that, despite serious assaults by several executive presidents, its basic democratic structure remains intact. Adult franchise introduced in 1931 has obviously become a solid part of Sri Lankan political structure and the mentality of the people. In this regard, the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya should be especially congratulated for the courageous defense of the people’s right to a free and fair election. He and his team have earned the rightful esteem of the people and have also created an example that should be followed by successors. It is to be hoped that the strong position taken by the Elections Commissioner will be further enhanced by the establishment of an Independent Elections Commission, under the 17th Amendment to the Constitution as soon as possible.

Strengthen All Democratic Institutions

The 1978 Constitution was aimed at paralyzing, if not destroying, all democratic public institutions in Sri Lanka. At last, the people have understood the danger and have voted overwhelmingly to end all suppression of Sri Lankan public institutions, such as the police service, elections commissioner’s office, the civil service, the auditor general’s department, commission against bribery and corruption, and all other related agencies. In this regard, from the point of view of restoring the rule of law, asserting the independence of the Sri Lankan Police remains a priority. The police must be made into the premier law enforcement agency, one that may, without hindrance, safeguard the rule of law and create a safe environment for people to engage in their various activities. A lot has been done to damage the policing institution. The most important restraint that bound the policing institution was what was popularly called “politicization”, which simply meant that the politicians controlled the police service to achieve their ends. A comprehensive review of such negative processes that had become part of the system should be undertaken and corrective action should be taken to remove them.

One of the paramount deeds needed in Sri Lanka, both from the point of view of achieving quick economic progress as well as ensuring the safety of all citizens, is the modernization of the Sri Lankan police. The old model of policing that exists in the country is unable to provide services with the sophistication required in a modern nation. The Irish British constabulary style policing system introduced by the British failed to absorb the changes that were taking place throughout the world and has, therefore, ossified into an outdated institution. As opposed to colonies like Sri Lanka, what was developed in the city of London was a metropolitan style of policing – identified as policing by consent; such policing never became part of the institutional framework of Sri Lanka. Therefore, a radical re-engineering is what is needed. This belated task of acquiring modern capacities and changing the image of the police is an essential task which the AHRC hopes the Inspector General of Police and high ranking officers will set themselves to achieve.

Removing the Culture of Fear and Impunity

The period that began with the 1978 Constitution was characterized by government authorized extrajudicial killings, including enforced disappearances, routine practices of torture at all police stations, the entrenched habit of issuing death threats to all opponents of the government, and the failure to investigate and prosecute offending officers, whether they be military, police, or paramilitary officers. A critical examination of this problem and steps to end it, once and for all, should be one of the components of the modernization of the policing service.

Need for an ICAC (Hong Kong) Style Anti-Corruption Commission

The Sri Lankan Commission against Bribery and Corruption is one of the institutions that have earned the scorn of the people. Particularly under the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, this Commission has been given a virtual holiday; the government took measures to ensure that the Commission wouldn’t perform the lawful functions it was expected to perform. All Sri Lankan governments have, so far, failed to confront bribery and corruption with any kind of seriousness.

Another paramount need for the economic progress of Sri Lanka, as well as for the preservation of the rule of law in the country, is the establishment of a genuine Commission against Bribery and Corruption. Around the world there are many examples of effective government agencies for the control of corruption. One such institution is the Independent Commission against Corruption in Hong Kong.

One of the great contributions of the new President, for which he could be remembered with gratitude in the future, can be the establishment of such a credible commission for combatting corruption. We hope that the new President and the New Democratic Front will make it a priority to establish such a commission; this can be one of the ways by which the President and the alliance can remove the people’s fear that the newly elected government will betray its mandate just like the former government of Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Independence of Judiciary: Need to Impeach Chief Justice Mohan Peiris

An enormous slur on the democratic reputation of Sri Lanka was the illegal removal of Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake as Chief Justice. The people of Sri Lanka and the world need to be reassured that such an attack on the independence of the judiciary will not happen again, and that all safeguards are established to protect against any such attack.

A first step would be for incumbent de facto Chief Justice Mohan Peiris to resign. In case he does not do, he should be removed by constitutional means of impeachment. His black career has in it more than enough grounds for his impeachment. And, with this, all steps should be taken to remove the habit of political interference in the process of appointment, transfer, and removal of judges. A quick resuscitation of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution could contribute to this end. Besides, avenues must be created for the public to make complaints against corruption and abuse of power by judges, and assurance must be given to the people that such complaints would be credibly and speedily investigated and that appropriate actions will be taken.

The Civil Society

It had been the practice of the former government to portray civil society actions as an attack on the country. Much has been done to blacken people’s involvement in political life. Deliberate attempts must be made to remove all such black propaganda and to allow all agencies of civil society to contribute to the functioning of the nation.

It will remain a slur on Sri Lankan civil society that it allowed the operation of the 1978 Constitution for so many decades. This Constitution should have been resisted from the beginning. Why the civil society failed to put up such a resistance should be carefully studied, so that awareness about the need for civil society to be ever vigilant to protect the basic principles of liberal democratic constitutionalism is created. This negative experience should never be repeated.

New Formula for National Strength: Majority and Minority Standing Together

In all the crucial moments when democracy in Sri Lanka was under threat, the minority communities, i.e. the Tamils, the Muslims, and other religious minorities, stood together with the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. This election result is another example. The result provides a formula with which the majority and the minority can use their creative abilities and utilize the common sense of the people to resolve some of the major problems that have created much loss and sadness in Sri Lanka. What is needed is that all sections of the society engage in dialogue, trusting that all the problems besetting the nation can be resolved in a spirit of reasonable engagement. We hope both the new President and his alliance and all political parties, including the parties of the minorities, will work within this new formula of political friendship where they can support each other.

We congratulate the people of Sri Lanka on this occasion when they have, once again, demonstrated their political genius and wisdom. We hope that such genius and wisdom will not be lost in this nation, ever. We hope that future generations will have the benefit of the change that has resulted today and that their hopes for the future will not be betrayed ever again.

Gota Flees To Maldives By Air Force Plane

January 9, 2015

The secretary to the ministry of defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa and wife Ayoma fled to Maldives by an Air Force plane as soon as the results started to flow in, Colombo Telegraph reliably learns.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa -Secretary, Defence and Urban Development

No Visa required while Singapore the other neighbouring country with No Visa Requirement refused to allow Military flight.

Rajapaksa sons were packed off to China.

“For a moment don’t believe Mahinda Rajapaksa gave up like a gentleman. He wanted to declare an Emergency and annul the Election results and sent for the Attorney General and asked him to prepare the necessary papers. The AG refused and it is only then that he sent for Ranil Wickermesinghe and said he will go peacefully and asked for safe passage.” a source close to Ranil Wickremesinghe told Colombo Telegraph.

This is why releasing the results was delayed. Ranil accompanied him to President’s House in the Fort. He is now holed up in a house at 260/12 Torrington Avenue gifted to him by a crony businessman.

As Colombo Telegraph reported this morning Rajapaksa was getting set to dissolve parliament. As sitting President, Rajapaksa is empowered to dissolve the parliament until the Elections Commissioner declares the final result.

Maithripala Sirisena decide to take oaths today instead of 10th January as originally planned (See MS’s 100 day programme) to prevent any tricks by MR before he finally relinquishes office.

Army chief and Cabinet say ‘No’ to Rajapakses :Latter desperately request Ranil for security , and hand over power

(Lanka-e-News- 09.Jan.2015, 5.00PM) The Medamulana Rajapakse family having failed miserably after making frantic attempts using its every trump to illicitly perpetuate its brutal ,corrupt, murderous despotic power, had a little while ago accepted defeat amidst its sure humiliating Presidential election defeat which is ominously staring in its face, left the Temple Trees after acknowledging its defeat .

It is an incontrovertible fact that the Rajapakse family regime became most notorious during its 9 year despotic reign for making Sri Lanka (SL) once reputed as the pearl of the Indian ocean a killing field causing abductions and disappearance of innocent citizens, committing murders on unarmed citizens and creating a fear psychosis among peace loving citizens via its white Van syndrome , and robbing even every rice grain of this valuable pearl .

Medamulana Rajapakse who held elections two years ahead of the scheduled date with the hope of clinging on to evil power , did everything possible violating elections laws brazenly and blatantly during this entire election period to plunder victory including ,unlawfully distributing 800,000 SIL clothes ; collecting identity cards slyly paying Rs. 5000.00 for each identity card; and finally leaving no stone unturned by resorting to every sordid and surreptitious activity in order to obstruct the announcement of election results by going so far as even to de activate the elections department server yesterday night.

Yet, the common opposition candidate based on his overwhelming popularity was able to brave all the most formidable odds including glaring election malpractices and frauds of the Rajapakses , to win convincingly by 700,000 votes approximately, with an absolutely clear majority .

In the end ,as a last ditch effort Mahinda Rajapakse and Gotabaya Rajapakse have summoned their two security councils and sought to continue their power using military power .However , when the army chief has declined this request , an attempt was made to perpetuate the power with the help of the Cabinet which was summoned by them for this purpose .The senior cabinet members have also disagreed with this proposal . Consequently the Rajapakse brothers , Mahinda and Gotabaya were left in the lurch . Because of the pleas made to the people to turn against the conspiracies hatched by the Rajapakses , the latter were gripped by the fear of the same magnitude as that was faced by Rajapakses’ bosom friend Gadaffi in his final days when he met with a most humiliating and disastrous end ,even after hiding in a culvert to protect himself .

When every subterfuge and conspiracy to continue illegally in power flopped , Mahinda and Gotabaya had invited opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and stated they are prepared to hand over their reins , and begged from Ranil like beaten dogs standing on their hind legs ,to provide security to them and those who supported them , after admitting their defeat.

The opposition leader has consented to this .

By now , Mahinda had left the Temple Trees . People have at last won in their struggle , and emerged victorious. . Of course , the vanquished should not be persecuted , but at the same time no mercy should be shown towards murderers and robbers of national resources and assets.

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by     (2015-01-09 11:35:19)

Hope

• by Sanjana Hattotuwa 
• - on 01/09/2015 

I drove past Temple Trees this morning at sunrise, a few minutes after the first SMS from a major news service proclaimed Mahinda Rajapaksa would step down as President.

I couldn’t believe it. I just hugged a close friend in the passenger seat and I think we both teared up – not knowing how else to fully realise the enormity of change upon us, without the violence we were expecting. Someday I will pen what I felt on that drive, in front of Temple Trees. Suffice to say that I don’t see Groundviews going away anytime soon. Our work, to remind the President elect Maithripala Sirisena that promises made must also be promises kept, will not end.

I’ve listened to will.i.am’s It’s A New Day several times today, risking disappointment to hope – more than I have since 2005 – that it is indeed a new day, for all Sri Lankans.