Drug mafia throws party for Rajitha!

 Sunday, 08 February 2015

A function, on the pretext of felicitating party members who shouldered the responsibility of making Maithripala Sirisena the president, but in actual fact to buy health minister Rajitha Senaratne and his family, has taken place at Waters’ Edge at Battaramulla on February 02, according to reports reaching Lanka News Web.

The expenses for the function were borne by Access Group chairman Sumal Perera, a henchman of the previous Rajapaksa regime. It was coordinated by one Chamath, who had misappropriated millions of rupees through various deals at the fisheries ministry when Mr. Senaratne was the subject minister.

With him, the function was organized by Amal Harsha, a leading figure in the drug mafia in the country. Nearly 500 invitees, including doctors involved in the drug racket, participated.

Arriving at the function, minister Senaratne and his wife Sujatha were surprised to see those present. Coming to understand the real motive of the event, the two called Chamath aside and said, “None of these here supported us. All of them promoted Rajapaksa. By getting me to meet such persons, are you trying to ruin me? If this is carried by websites, I will have to eat poison. Use your brains when doing a thing.”

Anyway, the drug mafia operatives present tried to lay a net to trap the minister and his wife. It will remain to be seen as to whether they had failed, or succeeded, in the attempt.

Over 2,000 important files missing at the Ministry, says Ravi

February 8, 2015

Minister Ravi Karunanayake says he received information that over 2,000 important files of the Finance Ministry have gone missing.

Karunanayake added that he will complain to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and request to initiate an inquiry on this regard.

According to the Minister, the missing files contain important information on alleged questionable deals and believed to have contained details about misuse of public property and funds as well. It was reported several top officials responsible for these files have been identified and they will likely be questioned by the CID, on this matter.

Europe after the Syriza victory

Things will change in Europe but the Euro will survive

by Kumar David-February 7, 2015, 12:00 pm 

It is unlikely but not impossible that Greece will be forced out of the Eurozone. The Syriza government wants to avoid a painful "Greexit" and European and German capitalism does not want a shake up endangering the foundations of the Euro. Most likely is a game of brinkmanship with both sides compromising at the eleventh-hour. Syriza and its leader Alexis Tsipras, however, cannot retreat on two matters - there has to be some relief on life and limb crushing austerity, and secondly a part of the proposed privatisation package will have to be shelved. The big threat facing European capitalism is that if Spain follows Greece electing the similar-to-Syriza left-populist Podemos alliance at the next election, the entire Eurozone will unravel. Recall also that the anti-Euro rightwing is gaining ground in many European countries, notably France. There is no mechanism to exit the Euro as such an eventuality was not imagined; the messy exit of two countries followed by unravelling of the Euro will create a global financial catastrophe on the scale of the 2008 melt down of the American financial economy.

Europe After the Syriza Victory - Things Will Change in Europe but the Euro Will Survive by Thavam Ratna

Rs. 172 billion Chinese Port City project still in stormy seas

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera greets China's special envoy Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao in Colombo for discussions mainly on the controversial Colombo Port City and other Chinese funded projects.

By Our Political Editor-Sunday, February 08, 2015View(s):

Mangala contradicts Senaratne, says Cabinet did not decide to go ahead with the huge controversial project
PM and FM tell China’s special envoy decision will be taken after comprehensive review
New Govt. cancels Rajapaksa’s order for a castle in the sky through national carrier, billions spent on luxury Russian helicopters for VIPs

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera did not mince his words when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special envoy Liu Jianchao on Thursday.  Casting diplomacy aside, he told China’s Assistant Foreign Minister, “Our Government has not taken a decision to go ahead with the Chinese-backed Colombo Port City Project. The news reports are completely wrong.” The assertions came after Liu told Samaraweera that China was thankful to the National Unity Government for deciding to go ahead with this multibillion dollar project.

Rs. 172 Billion Chinese Port City Project Still in Stormy Seas by Thavam Ratna

Colombo Port City: Consequences of reneging a promise

by Ranil Senanayake 

- on 02/08/2015 

I am sure that I speak for many of us who took the promise of the Prime Minister that the Port City’ project was to be scrapped. Now, it seems that it is been broken. This is a shock, I could understand the greedy and ignorant, willing to compromise our nationhood, but to witness our leaders submit cringingly to continue ‘good relations’ so soon after they had come to power was a blow, to my sense of national pride, are we a nation that has accountable and independent government. A nation that lives by enacting it’s laws fairly and ensuring transparency in international transactions. Or will be bullied to accept some secretive contract, because it is in the interests of some other nation ? If there was a ‘contract’, the nature of that contract must be made public. There must be a clear statement weather its action infringes on our national rights, its veracity must be also be established. Has the legality of putting our rocks and soil into our offshore sea and calling it ‘exported’ been proven to be valid?   All islands that suddenly appear, tectonic or volcanic belongs to the country within whose maritime boundaries that land has appeared. The Sandwip Island in Bangladesh, made relatively recently by the deposition of silt at the mouth of the Padma river is another example. The government must seek legal opinion as to the legal status of an island constructed entirely of national assets with our national boundaries. Until this is done, the credibility and the authority of the Prime Ministers office is at stake if the project is allowed to proceed.

Beyond the national boundary issue, there is the veracity of the EIA. This document has had very limited circulation. Should it not be given for public scrutiny, especially when the issue might hinge on national security. There are many issues to consider, but take three examples, water, power and effluent. The EIA should demonstrate the capacity in evaluating the risk factors for Sri Lanka. Take water, already we are living within a restricting watershed. The Rathupaswela incident should remind us that access to clean water is a life or death struggle. How much from our national aquifers will be diverted into this port city? This will create water scarcity at times of low flow and if there is prioritizing water between a rich urban client and a poor ‘native’ client. Diverting rivers to feed some misbegotten project or dream is to steal the water right to those who live within that watershed. If the purported solution is reverse osmosis, from desalinization plant, the question of energy comes in.

Desalination plants much like whole building air conditioners demand a large supply of uninterrupted energy. Where will that come from? If poisonous coal fired power plants are seen as the source of energy to this city, where will they be built? Given the current levels of knowledge on the horrendous health effects of these plants, will the poor Sri Lanka be forced to breathe toxins and watch their children sicken, while, gleaming elevators zoom up and down in the city? I would like to see the EIA on which this project was accepted. I would like to see some public statements on its contents and not just treat the public, with the same dismissive attitude, that was done before.

Finally, it will be interesting to see how the EIA has dealt with the question of waste, especially toxic, electronic and industrial waste. Will Sri Lanka have to function as their garbage dump or will they send it to their point of origin? These are among some critical questions that have to be discussed at the national scale.

If this government is truly interested in the well being of a Sri Lankan nation, they must put such a critical decision as a referendum. Regaining national sovereignty is what my ancestors were about. We almost lost it and now hangs on some potty contract. Is the party about to give up what their founders gained, without consulting with the nation? I hope they will be responsible and act. But, if they continue to cow-tow to the new economic masters, I suggest that they remove the images of my family from the party, as their struggle would have been betrayed!

Jordan's revenge: 60 airstrikes target Islamic State

SATURDAY 07 FEBRUARY 2015

Jordan carries out a third day of airstrikes against Islamic State targets as it "avenges" the murder of a Jordanian pilot who was burned to death by the jihadist group.

Jordan carries out a third day of airstrikes against Islamic State targets as it "avenges" the murder of a Jordanian pilot who was burned to death by the jihadist group.

The kingdom launched airstrikes on Islamic State positions in Syria and Iraq on Thursday. On Saturday the government reported that "sorties of air force fighters bombed (Islamic State) bases".

A security official told Reuters that Jordan had conducted 60 raids over three days, mostly targeting the Syrian stronghold of Raqqa. They had hit targets including ammunition depots, training camps and a communications tower, the official said.

On Friday the US Central Command released videos of recent airstrikes against the Islamic State group (videos above and throughout).

Read more: Jordan ramps up air strikes and vows to 'eradicate' IS

Jordan also announced on Saturday that the United Arab Emirates were sending a squadron of F16 jet fighters to help intensify the campaign.

The fighter jets, which will be based in Jordan, are "a big boost and will be helping our brothers shorten their flying distances and intensify strikes against the militants from Jordan", an army source said.

Jordan's King Abdullah vowed this week to avenge pilot Mouath al-Kasaesbeh's brutal killing. The Islamic State group released a video of him being burned alive in a cage.

The airstrikes also follow claims by the Islamic State that a US citizen, Kayla Mueller, who was an Islamic State hostage, was killed in a Jordanian airstrike.

Ms Mueller's parents Carl and Marsha said on Friday that they were "still hopeful" that their daughter may be alive, and urged the Islamic State group to contact them.

Jordan has dismissed the allegation. A government spokesman said: "We are looking into it but our first reaction is that we think it is illogical and we are highly sceptical about it... It's part of their criminal propaganda."

The US-led coalition said on Saturday that it had launched 26 airstrikes against IS over the past 24 hours as a part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Fifteen airstrikes targeted IS positions in Iraq and 11 were in Syria, with nine of those around the city of Kobani which was recaptured by Kurdish troops last month.

The Combined Joint task Force said the Kobani strikes hit seven IS tactical units and destroyed five vehicles around the city, where the group is still located.

Chomsky and Kissinger: Don't Increase US Military Involvement in Ukraine

Photo Credit: via YouTube

By Kevin Zeese-February 5, 2015

The New York Times reported Tuesday that the Obama administration is considering sending more weapons to Ukraine — $3 billion worth. The Times reports: “Secretary of State John Kerry, who plans to visit Kiev on Thursday [Feb. 5], is open to new discussions about providing lethal assistance, as is Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, officials said.”
Chomsky and Kissinger Don't Increase US Military Involvement in Ukraine by Thavam Ratna

4-way summit on Ukraine crisis could herald breakthrough on peace deal

Thousands of residents from the Debaltseve area evacuate from the new epicenter of separatist fighting.

Secretary of State John Kerry denied that the U.S. and Europe are divided over how to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and how to deal with Russia's role in it.

MUNICH — A peace proposal for Ukraine edged toward a possible breakthrough as the leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine agreed Sunday to a joint summit alongside representatives of the pro-Moscow separatists who have waged a bloody campaign in the Ukrainian east.

4-Way Summit on Ukraine Crisis Could Herald Breakthrough on Peace Deal by Thavam Ratna

US Deports Professor Sami Al-Arian for Criticizing Israel and Backing Palestinian Rights

Sami Al-Arian speaks at a news conference in Tampa, Florida, on August 22, 2002, at the office of his lawyer. Al-Arian's family, from left, daughters Laila and Leena, his wife, Nahla, and son, Abdullah, listened behind him. (Photo: Gary Bogdon / The New York Times)

By Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett, Consortium News -Saturday, 07 February 2015

One of the ugliest post-9/11 trials was the terrorism prosecution of a Palestinian immigrant, Dr. Sami Al-Arian, for using strong words in criticizing Israel and backing Palestinian rights, a case that amounted to thought crimes. It has now ended with Al-Arian's deportation.

Earlier this week, the U.S. government deported our friend and colleague, Dr. Sami Al-Arian, from the United States. Turkey has granted him sanctuary.

US Deports Professor Sami Al-Arian for Criticizing Israel and Backing Palestinian Rights by Thavam Ratna

Iran's Khamenei hints ready to accept fair nuclear deal as talks proceed

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks live on television after casting his ballot in the Iranian presidential election in Tehran June 12, 2009.

BY MEHRDAD BALALI AND SHADIA NASRALLA-DUBAI/MUNICH Sun Feb 8, 2015

(Reuters) - Iran's paramount leader suggested on Sunday he could back a fair nuclear accord with world powers in which neither side got everything it wanted, boosting Iranian negotiators under fire from hardliners at home opposed to rapprochement with the West.

Iran's Khamenei Hints Ready to Accept Fair Nuclear Deal as Talks Proceed by Thavam Ratna

Religious leaders plead for mercy for Bali Nine duo facing firing squad

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher and Grand Mufti Ibrahim Abu Mohammad ask Indonesian president to spare Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran

 Bali Nine pair Andrew Chan (left) and Myuran Sukumaran. Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

Australian Associated Press -Sunday 8 February 2015

High-profile religious leaders have pleaded for mercy for Bali Nine pair Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who are facing imminent execution in Indonesia.

“Our request today is for clemency or a commuted sentence for Andrew and Myuran so as to allow them to be further rehabilitated and to execute would prematurely end these lives, robbing both of them and our communities of the opportunity for ongoing repentance and rehabilitation,” the pair said in a statement to journalists.

Fisher said neither he nor the Grand Mufti questioned the men’s guilt, the seriousness of their crime or the legitimacy of the verdicts against them.

Mohammad said the Sydney men have had more than a decade to think about their crime, and have shown remorse and repentance for their role in attempting to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin into Australia.

“By all accounts Andrew and Myuran have come to appreciate clearly the gravity of their crimes,” the Grand Mufti said.

“These Sydney-born men have had a long time to think about what they have done while in Kerobakan prison – and on death row.”

He said he is considering travelling to Indonesia to meet with religious leaders in the coming days to discuss the imminent execution.

Fisher said the role of the Australian federal police in the Bali Nine arrest, and Sunday’s report in Fairfax newspapers that the men’s lawyer, Mohamad Rifan, wants to introduce new evidence in a bid to spare the men “are extra reasons for us to take it seriously”.

Jokowi argues Indonesia is in the grips of a drug crisis that needs the “shock therapy” of the death penalty.

Prime minister Tony Abbott has urged Jokowi to show mercy to the two “well and truly reformed” Australians. Bali court officials last month confirmed presidential clemency had been denied to Chan, two weeks after his fellow Bali Nineringleader, Sukumaran, received the same news.

The announcement all but extinguished their last hope of being spared the death penalty for the 2005 heroin trafficking plot.

Massive herbal-supplement scam uncovered: Walmart, Target, GNC accused of selling bogus products

An investigation by the NY attorney general found many contain cheap fillers like houseplant and powdered rice

(Credit: Niloo via Shutterstock)

JOANNA ROTHKOPF-TUESDAY, FEB 3, 2015

On Monday, New York State’s Attorney General Eric Schneiderman instructed Target, GNC, Walgreens and Walmart to immediately cease selling a number of scam herbal supplements. An investigation revealed that best-selling supplements not only didn’t work, but were potentially dangerous, with four out of five of the products not even listing any herbs in their ingredients–instead, the supplements contained fillers including powdered rice, houseplants and asparagus. Fraudulent products include echinacea, ginseng, St. John’s wort, garlic, ginkgo biloba and saw palmetto.

In total, only 21 percent of store brand herbal supplements contained plants listed on the labels.

“Mislabeling, contamination and false advertising are illegal,” said Schneiderman. “They also pose unacceptable risks to New York families — especially those with allergies to hidden ingredients.”

These drugs are not subject to the F.D.A.’s approval because of a loophole in a 1994 federal law (spearheaded by Utah Sen. Orrin G. Hatch who received funding from supplement makers), fraudulent products can easily reach consumers without accountability or oversight.

The New York Times’ Anahad O’Connor has the story:

Genocide in Sri Lanka, a wake-up call for the UN – Anusha Arumugam 

Published: 3 February 2015 11:00 AM

“It is not the violence of the few that scares me. It is the silence of the majority.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Civilians become victims of war for two reasons: firstly, because of the perpetrators, and secondly, because the communities who had the capacity to stop the crimes have failed to do so.

War crimes, and crimes and humanity and peace were atrocities that plagued the Darfur conflict (2003-2010), the Iraq war (2003-2011), the Gaza war (2008-2009), the Sri Lankan civil war (2009), and the Syrian civil war (2011-present). However, these wars shared another similarity – they witnessed the repetitive systemic failure of the United Nations (UN) in protecting civilians in the conflict zones. As such, the lack of responsibility portrayed by the UN at international law for failing in its duties questions its fundamental aim of “keeping peace throughout the world”.
Genocide in Sri Lanka, A Wake-up Call for the UN – Anusha Arumugam by Thavam Ratna

 UN Chief stands by UNHRC Chief's call on Sri Lanka to cooperate with UN inquiry


Sat, Feb 7, 2015
Feb 07, Colombo: The United Nations says the Secretary General will stand by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Chief's call for cooperation of the Sri Lankan government with the UN inquiry.


While welcoming the new Sri Lankan government's decision to initiate a local probe into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric at the regular Press briefing on Tuesday (03) said the UN Chief's call and the UNHR Chief's call for Sri Lanka to cooperate with the UN inquiry will stand.


"Obviously, we welcome - you know, we would welcome any move that would help to bring light what's happened in Sri Lanka. But the Secretary-general's call and the High Commissioner's call for cooperation with the UN inquiries stand," Dujarric said when asked for the UN's reaction to the Sri Lankan government's announcement that it is considering bringing a new local inquiry with foreign experts into the alleged crimes during the war.

U.S. security adviser Rice pledges help for Sri Lanka 'transition'

United States National Security Advisor Susan Rice answers questions after her speech at the Brookings Institution in Washington, February 6, 2015.

BY DAVID BRUNNSTROM-Fri Feb 6, 2015

(Reuters) - The United States pledged on Friday to assist Sri Lanka's new government in creating a more open and democratic society.

In a speech laying out President Barack Obama's updated national security strategy, U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice included Sri Lanka alongside Myanmar - which is also known as Burma - and Tunisia as a country "in transition."

"We’ll help countries in transition - like Burma, Tunisia, and Sri Lanka - become more open, more democratic, and more inclusive societies," Rice said in a speech at the Brookings Institute.

Earlier, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the United States had commended steps by new Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to address post-war reconciliation and long-standing issues such as governance and accountability.

"Certainly have seen some positive steps here," she told a regular news briefing. 

On Thursday, Nisha Biswal, the U.S. State Department's senior official for South Asia, who visited Sri Lanka last week, told reporters Sri Lanka still faced "big challenges" dealing with issues such as reconciliation.

"But there’s such a strong commitment that’s visible in this government to want to address these issues that we very much want to work with them to see that happen," she said.

The United States is keen to bolster ties with countries throughout Asia as part of its effort to counterbalance an increasingly powerful and assertive China, which has sought strategic influence in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan government said this week it was planning a new investigation into accusations of human rights abuses in the final stages of a 26-year civil war that ended in 2009, amid international frustration at the failure of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to look into numerous civilian deaths.

Rajapaksa had refused to cooperate with any United Nations investigation into claims the army committed atrocities in the war. He was ousted in a surprise election defeat last month.

Sri Lanka's new Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is expected to visit Washington next week.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton and Lou Charbonneau; Editing by Ken Wills)