Egypt’s top military a ‘Criminal Syndicate’!

AUDIO TAPES PROOF OF ‘CONSPIRACY IN ACTION’ . . .

by Selvam Canagaratna

January 31, 2015

"Authority has every reason to fear the skeptic, for authority can rarely survive in the face of doubt."

– Robert Lindner, Must You Conform? (1956)

Four years on, the uprising in Egypt popularly known as the ‘Arab Spring’ has more often than not been described as a revolution. In fact, it is still officially proclaimed ‘Revolution Day’ since the fall of Egypt’s dictator Hosni Mubarak on February 11, 2011. And during the 18 momentous days in the spring of 2011, many Egyptians believed that the military generals stood with them against the tyranny and decadence of the Mubarak regime, and declared in Tahrir Square and across Egypt that "the people and the army are one!"

Egypt’s Top Military a ‘Criminal Syndicate’! by Thavam Ratna

China 'building second aircraft carrier'

China has reportedly started work on a second aircraft carrier, as it bids to exert its authority over disputed territories in the South and East China Seas

A naval soldier onboard China's first aircraft carrier 'Liaoning' Photo: Reuters

By Tom Phillips, Shanghai- 19 Jan 2014

China has started building its second aircraft carrier as part of a growing push to develop a what would be the world’s second biggest navy, according to reports in both China and Hong Kong.

Wang Min, the party chief of Liaoning province in northeast China where the vessel is reportedly being built, said the carrier’s construction would take six years and added that China’s navy eventually planned to build four such carriers.

Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post estimated that the new carrier, which is being built in the northeastern port of Dalian, would be completed by 2018.

Chinese language reports about the carrier’s development were reportedly deleted over the weekend, prompting claims that Beijing had hoped to keep the project “low profile”.

However, military strategists and Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, have made no secret of their desire to see China build a powerful “blue water navy” that will boost the country’s international status and its controls over the seas.

Since coming to power in late 2012, Xi Jinping, the president, has thrown his weight behind plans for a major revamp of the People’s Liberation Army Navy or PLAN.

^{China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, approaching port after a training mission (Reuters)}

Last August, Mr Xi vowed that China would “enhance its maritime law enforcement capacity to match its overall national strength”. “We love peace and will remain on a path of peaceful development, but that doesn’t mean giving up our rights, especially involving the nation’s core interests,” he said, according to state media.

Speaking to state media last week, Ma Gang, a professor at the People’s Liberation Army National Defense University, said: “China should have a military that can match its power status.”

China faced “serious challenges to its sovereignty and several territorial disputes,” Prof. Ma added.

Li Jie, a professor from the Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said: “The Chinese military has expanded its sphere of activity, aiming to extend its naval and air forces farther from the coast and into international waters.”

Last April China announced that the People’s Liberation Army now boasted 850,000 officers while the navy and air force had 235,000 and 398,000 officers respectively.

Reports about the construction of a second aircraft carrier follow an extended period of turbulence between China and regional rivals including Japan and the Philippines over disputed territories in the East and South China seas.

In July last year China and Russia launched what Chinese state media described as the country’s “largest ever joint naval exercise” in the Sea of Japan.

The exercise was widely interpreted as a challenge to the United States’ “pivot” to Asia as well as a signal to neighbours including Japan and the Philippines that China was now a force to be reckoned with.

China’s first aircraft carrier, a 990ft former Soviet vessel called the Liaoning that was refitted in Dalian, was formally brought into service in 2012.

In a show of strength, the Liaoning recently completed a 37-day “sea trial” in the South China Sea, state media reported in early January.

Shortly after the mission had been completed Chinese fishing regulations were introduced requiring foreign ships to request permission to fish in large swathes of the South China Sea.

The US labelled the restrictions imposed by China “provocative and potentially dangerous”.

China tells U.S. it's against Obama meeting Dalai Lama

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, gestures as he speaks to his followers during the Jangchup Lamrim teaching session at the Gaden Jangtse Thoesam Norling Monastery in Mundgod in the southern Indian state of Karnataka December 23, 2014.

Mon Feb 2, 2015

(Reuters) - China warned the United States on Monday that it was opposed to any country meeting the Dalai Lama "in any manner" after the White House said U.S. President Barack Obama would attend an event with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader whom Beijing brands a separatist.

The White House said last week that Obama would deliver remarks at a Feb. 5 prayer breakfast in Washington about the importance of religious freedom. The Dalai Lama is due to attend.

"China is opposed to any nation or government using the Tibet issue to interfere in China's domestic affairs, and opposed to any country's leader meeting with the Dalai Lama in any manner," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily news briefing.

"China hopes the U.S. side abides by its promises on the Tibet issue, and proceeds to appropriately handle the issue on the basis of the overall condition of bilateral relations."

The White House, which said Obama had a "great relationship" with the Dalai Lama, did not announce any specific meeting between the two.

Obama held his third meeting with the Dalai Lama in Washington last February, infuriating Beijing, which denounces the monk as a dangerous "splittist" seeking to establish an independent Tibet.

China is usually riled by politicians meeting the Dalai Lama. In 2012, British Prime Minister David Cameron had to put his trip to China on hold after Beijing took offence at him holding a meeting in London with the Dalai Lama.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who fled to India after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, says he simply wants autonomy for Tibet and denies espousing violence.

(Reporting by Michael Martina; Writing by Sui-Lee Wee; Editing by Nick Macfie)

How To Get Rid Of Black Knees And Elbows

January 30, 2015

Dark elbows and knees happen from the buildup of thick and dead skin because of sun exposure, friction, pressure. Those dead skin cells make your elbows and knees more darker than the rest of the body. When you are working on the table, usually we lean on the table supporting with elbows and while doing prayers. These makes your elbow and knee skin more darker.It is very embarrassing for women to wear short skirts,sleeveless dresses.

HOW  TO GET RID OF BLACK KNEES & ELBOWS NATURALLY:

Sunscreen Lotion: Sunscreen lotions are very helpful to get rid of black knees and elbows.Always apply sunscreen lotion when ever you go out.It will helps to protect your skin from harsh UV rays of sun which makes your skin darker.

Sugar & Olive Oil: Take equal quantity of sugar and olive oil to make thick paste.Exfoliate your knees & elbows with this mixture and wash it off using mild soap and water.

Aloevera Gel: Aloevera has its own identity in skin treatments. Aloevera gel helps to reduce the dark spots caused by  sun exposure.Apply aloevera gel and leave it for 30 minutes.It will gives you fresh look to your affected elbow & knees.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide will helps to reduce the dark spots and sun damage due to over exposure.Apply diluted hydrogen peroxide using cotton balls and massage it for 10-15 minutes.You will notice dark dead skin coming off.

Lemon: Lemon helps to make your skin brighter.Apply lemon juice on your dark knees and keep it for 40-50 minutes and then wash it off with water.Repeat this daily for noticeable results.

Turmeric,Honey & Milk: Turmeric and  is well known for its antiseptic properties.Honey helps to moisturize the dry skin and milk acts as bleach.Mix turmeric powder with milk and honey to form a paste of it.Apply this on dark spots and leave it for 20-25 minutes.Wash it off with water.These natural ingredients will helps to reduce dark spots appeared due to sun exposure and leaning your knees and elbows on table or floor.

Almonds: Almonds are rich source of vitamin E which will helps to get rid of dark spots.Make a thick paste of almonds and scrub your elbows and knees with it.It will helps to remove the dead skin cells.

Some Important Tips:

• Apply coconut oil before going to bed helps to reduce dark spots.(clean your knees properly before applying).
• Never miss out on moisturizing your elbows and knees.(Improper hydration causes dark spots).
• Exfoliate your knees using pumice stone.
• You can use skin whitening creams(Consult your dermatologist for guidance).
• Proper diet also very important.So better to take Vitamin A & E rich foods.Such as potato,almonds, spinach,carrots,dried apricots,lettuce etc….

- See more at: http://www.healthyfoodteam.com/how-to-get-rid-of-black-knees-and-elbows/#sthash.hc8ca57d.dpuf

Mannar Demands Justice For The Missing…

By Waruni Karunarathne

Sunday, February 01, 2015

The previous government launched several investigations and even appointed a presidential commission to look into the complaints related to missing persons during the war in order to help the friends and relatives of the missing persons to find as to what happened to them – and also to establish truth and to help them move on. 

Mannar Demands Justice for the Missing… by Thavam Ratna

“Sri Lanka Is Ready To Take Centre Stage”

By S. Sivathasan -February 1, 2015 

S. Sivathasan

The caption cited above, is the title of a noteworthy article in the Wall Street Journal. It appeared on28, January 2015. “After a surprising election, the island democracy deserves U.S. attention”. “Maithripala Sirisena expressed interest in counterbalancing a rising China”. These are the prefatory remarks.

It’s a presentation by three well known personalities. Mr. Richard Armitage, deputy secretary of State, 2001 – 2005; Ms. Bue deputy assistant secretary of State for political military affairs 2003 – 2005 and Ms. Curtis Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation. To extend credence to what they write, their credentials are convincing.

To commence this account with their concluding sentence; the New Regime is poised to veer “from China’s Indian Ocean “String of Pearls”. For Sri Lankans, “China needn’t be their only friend” it is suggested. Apparently the writers wishfully see the New Regime departing from the pro-China policies of Rajapaksa. The words; the US should coordinate with nations such as Japan and India, in shoring up the new government and reinforcing its initial policy moves, is a portent for a Colombo, Washington, New Delhi, Tokyo Axis.

It is also urged that Sri Lanka has moved forward in re-establishing democracy, with the words “Sri Lanka’s dramatic and peaceful nod” to it. The writers see wisdom in using this opportunity to deepen ties with Sri Lanka by evolving plans to restore Washington’s relations with the Island Nation.

It is further added that time is for now for a roadmap that reflects US interests. They include; respect for human rights, democracy and rule of law. Emphasis is also placed in enhancing trade and regional economic integration. Securing the Indo-Pacific is stressed and one may take the cue from a forward looking statement; “Washington, New Delhi and Tokyo must reciprocate quickly to offer concrete opportunities” to Sri Lanka.

The writers are very pragmatic about quickening the pace of movement in Washington. They also desire Colombo coming closer and acting in concert. Wisdom is seen in an early invitation to President Sirisena to show support for an agenda on Ethnic Reconciliation, Restoration of Democratic Institutions and a Broader Sri Lankan Foreign Policy. Scope is seen in increasing “economic engagement through investment in infrastructure projects, especially in the war-torn areas of the north and east”.Read More

The Ouster of Mohan Peiris

January 31, 2015

Nobody will have any objection to Justice K.Sripavan being elevated to the position of Chief Justice. He has been as non-controversial a member of the judiciary as one could wish for. It is our hope that his lordship will be able to bring some calm and quiet to an office that has known nothing but controversy and turbulence over the past 15 years. However, no one can possibly approve of the events that preceded his appointment. Last Thursday was a black day in the history of the judiciary of this country. Ever since President Mahinda Rajapaksa was voted out of office, during the past three weeks there were demonstrations by lawyers and various agitators for the resignation of the chief justice. This reached a highpoint when a group of agitators invaded the chief justice’s official residence on Wednesday night and allegedly threatened him demanding his resignation.

The Ouster of Mohan Peiris by Thavam Ratna

Independence Day Presents Opportunity For Reconciliation Process To Commence

The following statement issued by the National Peace Council, Rights Group in Sri Lanka

( February 1, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) On February 4, Sri Lanka will be celebrating its 67th year of independence. This Independence Day celebration will be significantly different from those of the recent past. It will be led by a new government that comprises the spectrum of political parties in the country, and also its ethnic and religious diversities. The National Peace Council welcomes the government’s decision to express sympathy and reach out to the victims of the country’s three-decade long war at this year’s Independence Day celebrations. We wish to highlight this action that binds the people of the country together in recognizing that war and violence are a tragedy to all.

The government will mark Independence Day with a special Statement of Peace at the ceremony. President Maithripala Sirisena and his Cabinet of Ministers have approved a proposal by Acting Foreign Minister Ajith Perera and Minister of Home Affairs Joseph Michael Perera to make a special statement expressing solidarity and sympathy with all victims of the 26-year long civil war. The Ministers, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission appointed by the previous government, have proposed to express sympathy and cooperation with the war-affected people in the country and to pledge that it will be dedicated in unity to prevent recurrence of such situations in the country in the future.

The LLRC recommendation 9.284 noted that “Leaders of all sides should reach out to each other in humility and make a joint declaration, extending an apology to innocent citizens who fell victim to this conflict, as a result of the collective failure of the political leadership on all sides to prevent such a conflict from emerging.” The LLRC also recommended that a “separate event be set apart on the National Day to express solidarity and empathy with all victims of the tragic conflict and pledge our collective commitment to ensure that there should never be such bloodletting in the country again.”

The National Peace Council is mindful that those sections of the people who were victims of the war have urgent concerns that include locating missing or detained persons, being restored their lost land, property and livelihood opportunities, and obtaining justice and accountability for crimes committed against them. While the government takes steps to find solutions to these problems which may take time, we also urge the government to take whatever immediate actions it can, even those at a symbolic level, to reassure the ethnic minorities that they are equally valued citizens of Sri Lanka.

The LLRC Report warned that banning the national anthem being sung in the Tamil language, as was done by the previous government would “create a major irritant which would not be conducive to fostering post-conflict reconciliation”. The Commission’s recommendation 9.277 argued that “the practice of the National Anthem being sung simultaneously in two languages in the same time must be maintained and supported.” The Tamil and Muslims ethnic minorities living in Sri Lanka are primarily Tamil-speaking. The constitution does not state anywhere that the anthem should be sung in Sinhala only or that it cannot be sung in Tamil. We believe that singing the national anthem in both Sinhala and Tamil languages on Independence Day can become one of the first steps in the process of confidence building and national reconciliation.

In conclusion, it is essential to recognize that no single political party, institution, sector or group, regardless of its stature, can be expected to singularly shoulder the enormous burden for creating sustainable peace in Sri Lanka. The building of peace and reconciliation is, by necessity and definition, an inclusive, representative and participatory process. It needs ultimately to be a collaborative and inclusive effort which is recognized and promoted as we celebrate the 67th Independence Day of Sri Lanka.

Governing Council : The National Peace Council is an independent and non partisan organization that works towards a negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. It has a vision of a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka in which the freedom, human rights and democratic rights of all the communities are respected. The policy of the National Peace Council is determined by its Governing Council of 20 members who are drawn from diverse walks of life and belong to all the main ethnic and religious communities in the country.

Gota’s Account Controversy And The Division Of Financial Responsibility

By R.M.B Senanayake -February 1, 2015

R.M.B Senanayake

The Division of Financial Responsibility and Accountability between the Minister and his officials must be in the law 

Good governance is seen by economists as a key factor in ensuring national development and prosperity. It must find expression through indicators like reliability, predictability and accountability of decision-making. It involves such factors as the rule of law, transparency, accountability and public service ethics.

Financial Accountability

Accountability can be understood in two senses. In a narrow, technical sense it refers to the duty of the head of a department to account as ‘accounting officer’ to his or her Minister, the Auditor-General, and finally the Public Accounts Committee.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa

 At a basic level accountability means ‘to give an account’ of actions or policies, or ‘to account for’ spending and so forth. On a wider understanding accountability can be said to require a person to explain and justify – against criteria of some kind – their decisions or actions (D Oliver ‘Law, Politics and Accountability’ (1994) Public Law 238 at 246). It also requires that the person goes on to make amends for any fault or error and takes steps to prevent its recurrence in the future.Read More

Lessons of Syriza victory for JVP-JHU-Sobitha

Mass anger against moribund European capitalism

Handsome and photogenic Alexis Tsipras can teach Anura Kumara a lesson or two on strategy

by Kumar David-January 31, 2015

Leftist Syriza led by charismatic Alexis Tsipraz won 149 seats in the Greek parliamentary elections of 25 January falling two short of an absolute majority in the 300-member parliament needed to govern without the burden of an encumbering coalition. In 2012 Syriza took 27% of the vote to emerge as the second largest party, last week it won 37% and came first. It got 3.3% in 2004 and 5.4% in 2007. Two hundred and fifty parliamentary seats are distributed proportionally, but 50 extra seats are allocated to the party that obtains the largest number of votes (plurality). This bonus system makes for stable government since, to the best of my knowledge, a single party has never secured 50% in Greece. The New Democracy party which was pushed out of office secured 76 seats, semi-fascist Golden Dawn 17, the CP 15, Social Democrats 13, and the liberal Independent Greeks 13.

Lessons of Syriza Victory for JVP-JHU-Sobitha Mass Anger Against Moribund European Capitalism by Thavam Ratna

Deputy Wildlife Minister Covers-Up For Gota?

February 1, 2015

Doubts have been raised over certain comments made by Deputy Wildlife Minister Vasantha Senanayakeregarding the two elephant calves that were in possession of former secretary to the ministry of defenceGotabaya Rajapaksa.

Vasantha Senanayake

During a press briefing on Saturday, Deputy Minister Senanayake dismissed allegations that have been leveled at Gotabaya on illegally holding two baby elephants, claiming he has not engaged in any illegal actions with concern to the elephants.

“One of the calves has been registered and was held in his possession legally. The process to register the second elephant calf was underway when he decided to hand in both animals to the zoo; he had even submitted the application. The second calf had been given to him by the former President through a grant (sannasa) in January 2014,” Minister Senananayake told media.

However, several issues can be raised over his statement. As environmental law experts point out:
– The President is not entitled with provisions to grant the custody of ANY animal to a private party – the sole authority lies with the Wildlife Director

– Before taking the elephant under the care of a private owner physically, the law dictates that relevant authorization documents including the registration should be completed – which was not the case with the second calf that was in Gotabhaya’s possession

– Minister Senanayake himself admits that the original owner/s of this calf that had not been registered nor its origins are clear since the sannasa does not specify those details. As such, this calf (if it was not given away from Pinnawala) could very easily be a baby elephant that was smuggled out of a national park – a racket that was heavily carried out during the Rajapaksa regime

Animal activists point out that it is vital for a CID investigation to be carried out on this animal and its origins as a simple documentation noting the origins of the animal can be prepared by the authorities in order to cover-up the issue.

Showing That Lessons Are Learnt From The Past

By Jehan Perera-Sunday, February 01, 2015

The interim budget of the National Democratic Front government presented by its Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake was easily the most people-friendly budget of any government in recent times. It was described as a mini-budget, unlike the main budget that makes its appearance in November.  But it will have a significant impact on the lives of the majority of people who are still far from being the middle income earners that Central Bank figures used to make out.  The new government has claimed that the economic situation is far from being the rosy one painted by the former government.  Nevertheless it has sacrificed government revenue by reducing several taxes and prices of essential commodities.  As in the case of the reduction of the prices of petrol and diesel fuel a fortnight ago, the government acted boldly in giving big price concessions rather than niggardly ones.

One of the main charges leveled against the former United People’s Freedom Alliance government is that it led the country into massive debt due to its white elephant projects, waste and corruption.  However, the new government appears to have decided that it will address repaying the debts to a later time.  It is not repeating the politically damaging policies of the short-lived United National Front government of 2001-04 which was also headed by today’s Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe.  That government too inherited an economy in very bad shape.  The expenditures on the war against the LTTE that was taking place in full force at that time had drained the economy.  One prong of the government’s remedy to this problem was to slash government expenditures and to try to stimulate private sector investments.

The UNF government was successful in reviving the economy.  Its policies were rational in terms of economics.  But its policies created hardships to the masses of people and were resented by them.  In addition, the government sought to deal rationally with the issue of the war against the LTTE by entering into a ceasefire agreement with it with the support and praise of the international community.  However, both of these rational policy shifts by the UNF government proved to be deeply unpopular with the masses of people.  The economic recovery programme of the government doomed the poorer sections of the population to further belt-tightening and suffering.  The people did not get the immediate relief they had hoped for when they voted for a change of government in 2001.

Lesson learnt

At the same time as it sought to rationalise the economy through cost-cutting measures, the UNF government sought to stabilise the country through a peace process with the LTTE.  The international community was prepared to support the government in this.  What followed was a textbook case of mediation and conflict resolution.  However, the UNF government’s efforts to make the LTTE a partner in the peace process caused unease amongst the majority of people who did not trust the LTTE. This enabled the government’s political rivals to accuse it of betraying the country to the LTTE and to the international community. As a result the government could not keep its hold on power and was soon defeated at elections.

The mini budget presented on Thursday is an indicator that the new NDF government headed by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has learnt from its previous experience in regard to the economy.   Although the country is deep in debt due to the shortcomings in the economic policies of its predecessor government, the new government has decided not to pass the burden onto the masses of people immediately.  Instead it has heeded their desire for a measure of relief from economic hardship that the former government was getting increasingly oblivious to.  The former UPFA government was content with putting up big shows, including both exhibitions of Sri Lanka’s triumphs and large infrastructure projects that showed people the fruits of development that could be theirs, but in the future.

The former UPFA government believed it had an unbeatable formula to obtain the support of the majority of people due to its constant mobilisation of Sinhalese ethnic nationalism.  It constantly reminded the ethnic majority of the military victory it had obtained over the LTTE and the militancy of the Tamil ethnic minority.  It warned about future threats to the unity of the country and to the primary place of the Sinhalese as the ethnic majority.

It also claimed that the international community was seeking to revive the LTTE and used that justification to bolster the strength of the military and rule the ethnic minorities with a heavy hand.  It added the Muslim community as a second threat to the country and sought to add to the fears of the ethnic majority to obtain their political support.

Caution needed

In catering to the needs of the majority of people through its mini budget, the new government has shown it is being pragmatic about retaining the support of the majority of people in anticipation of general elections in June. But if it is to prevail at the forthcoming elections, it will be important for the new government to specifically woo the ethnic majority, of whom a significant majority voted for the former president.  In the period 2001-04, the UNF government lost its popularity due to its harsh economic policies in relation to the majority of people, but also due to the erosion of confidence that accompanied its efforts to compromise with the LTTE for the sake of peace.

There is a similar issue this time. This time around, the LTTE is no longer the threat, but it has been replaced by the international community that is pressing for accountability on the part of the former government leaders for war crimes.  Unlike the former government that refused to engage with the international community on the issue of war crimes, and has the sympathy of the ethnic majority on this issue, the new government has shown its willingness to engage with the international community on the issue of war crimes.  It has sent one of the country’s top diplomats Jayantha Dhanapala to the meet with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to ask for time and space to cope with this issue.   Unless properly handled, the issue of war crimes and accountability can undermine the popularity of the new government regardless of the economic benefits it provides the people.

The former leaders of the government, especially former president Mahinda Rajapaksa have repeatedly told the people that they fought against and destroyed the LTTE for the sake of the country and its people. The former president has said he is prepared to go to the electric chair if he can save the country from being divided and the soldiers who fought the war from being punished.  This type of speech is very emotive and can evoke the political support of the Sinhalese ethnic majority who has been given a high dose of nationalistic propaganda over the past decade by the former government leaders and propagandists.

It is in this context that the promise of the new government leaders not to permit any Sri Lankan to be taken away to an international court for war crimes and instead to hold a domestic inquiry into accountability issues needs to be viewed.

Public servants’ salary hike, productivity improvement and lessons from Dompe eHospital Project

A mega salary increase to public

servants- February 2, 2015

 
A mega giveaway offered in the Interim Budget 2015, presented to Parliament last week, has been the proposal to increase the salaries of public servants across the board. In terms of this proposal, the salary increase of Rs. 3000 given in the Budget 2015 presented in November last year is to be topped up by a further Rs. 7000 in two stages – Rs. 5000 from February 2015 and the balance Rs. 2000 from June.

Public Servants’ Salary Hike, Productivity Improvement and Lessons From Dompe EHospital Project by Thavam Ratna