Britain: EU to prepare possible new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond speaks during news conference after his meeting with Polish counterpart Grzegorz Schetyna (not pictured) at the Foreign Ministry in Warsaw March 6, 2015.

BY WIKTOR SZARY-Fri Mar 6, 2015

(Reuters) - Britain's foreign minister said on Friday the European Union would prepare possible new sanctions on Russia for its involvement in the Ukraine conflict that could be imposed quickly if the Minsk ceasefire agreement is broken.

Both Kiev and pro-Russia separatists have accused each other of violence since last month's peace deal that calls for heavy weapons to be withdrawn from the frontline in east Ukraine.

"The European Union will remain united on the question of sanctions, sanctions must remain in place until there is full compliance (with the Minsk agreement)," Philip Hammond said.

"We will prepare possible new sanctions, which could be imposed quickly if there is further Russian aggression or if the Minsk agreement is not complied with," he said.

Hammond also said Britain does not have immediate plans to supply Kiev with weapons, but it is "not ruling anything out for the future" as the situation in east Ukraine remains "dynamic".

At a joint conference with his British counterpart in Warsaw, Polish Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna said new sanctions could be imposed if, for example, separatists attack Ukraine's port city of Mariupol, but a move such as excluding Russia from the SWIFT payments system was an extreme option.

"(Exclusion) from SWIFT is the 'nuclear' option, this is an extreme option and there is a long list of sanctions that may be used before that," he said. "Also, the truth is that it is a 'double-edged sword'."

Some 6,000 people have been killed in fighting since separatists took up arms last year in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland in response to the overthrow of Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovich.

The conflict has sent ties between Russia and the West to Cold War-era lows as Kiev, along with the United States and the European Union, say they have evidence that Moscow is arming the rebels and boosting their ranks with Russian soldiers.

Russia has repeatedly denied this and says the United States is pushing Kiev's pro-Western government into war with its own people.

(Writing by Marcin Goettig; Editing by Louise Ireland)

Japan And China Relations: First Joint Security Talks In 4 Years Scheduled To Take Place

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se talked with China's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin (right) and Japan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Shinsuke Sugiyama (left) in Seoul, South Korea, Sept. 11, 2014. Sugiyama will meet with his Chinese counterpart for the two countries' first security talks in four years. Reuters

By  Shuan Sim-March 05 2015

Japan and China are finally making moves toward possible improvements in diplomatic relations, as the two countries are planning to hold their first security talks in four years, Japan’s foreign ministry said Thursday. The severed ties between the two countries since the end of World War II have never been mended fully, and recent disputes over maritime territory and China’s allegation of Japan’s non-apology for its wartime aggression have only further soured bilateral relations.

Japanese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Shinsuke Sugiyama is scheduled to meet Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Jianchao in Tokyo Mar. 19, according to the Wall Street Journal. The two sides are expected to discuss security and defense issues during the 13th Japan-China security dialogue meeting. The last such meeting took place in January 2011 in Beijing; the first talks began in 1993.

The upcoming meeting signals the efforts from both countries to repair relations, which was foreshadowed in November when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, according to Reuters. That same month, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida had met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and agreed to restart security talks that had been left frozen for many years.

In the meantime, China is scrutinizing Abe’s every move. "We will be watching closely when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers his statement on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War," Qian Lihua, a political adviser and former head of China’s Ministry of National Defense’s foreign office, said to state-run media Xinhua. He added that bilateral relations will be further hit if Abe backtracks on previous statements made by former leaders Tomiichi Murayama and Junichiro Koizumi, who apologized for Japan’s aggression.

The two countries' tensions over the islets in the South China Sea called the “Diaoyu islands” and “Senkaku islands” have recently increased. On Thursday, China launched English and Japanese versions of a Chinese government website asserting Beijing’s claim over the islands, according to Japan Times. Abe’s and other Japanese politicians’ offerings to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine honoring convicted war criminals last year have also angered China. Recently, China has invited world leaders to a military parade in Beijing that would commemorate the 70th anniversary of World War II and remind people of Japan’s role in the war.

‘Unhappy’ PM Modi pulls up absent MPs after humiliation in Rajya Sabha
PM Modi on Wednesday sought explanation from members of BJP and NDA allies for being absent from Rajya Sabha at the crucial moment of voting. (PTI photo)
| Mar 5, 2015, 04.
NEW DELHI: A day after the government faced embarrassment due to division of votes in Rajya Sabha over an amendment to the President's address, an 'unhappy' Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday sought explanation from members of his party (BJP) and NDA allies for being absent from the Upper House at the crucial moment of voting.

As many as 10 out of 46 BJP members and 12 from allies were absent in the House when the CPM members Sitaram Yechury and P Rajeeve moved the amendment and pressed for division of votes. The amendment was passed with 118 votes in favour and 57 against it.

"All these members including couple of ministers who were absent in the House during voting have been asked to explain the reasons of their absence", said a source.

READ ALSO: United opposition leaves Modi government red-faced in Rajya Sabha

Though their presence wouldn't have made much difference as the NDA is in a minority in Rajya Sabha, the explanation should ensure that these members are present in full strength next time when such a situation arises.

Since a number of bills are lined up for the Rajya Sabha in the ongoing budget session, such a situation cannot be ruled out.

Besides 46 of BJP, the NDA has six members from TDP, three each from Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), two from PDP and one each from other smaller parties.

READ ALSO: Opposition censured itself by amending motion of thanks, govt says

The NDA could, however, get 57 votes during the division despite the absentees as members from the friendly AIADMK and couple of Independents voted against the amendment on Tuesday.

Though the Opposition was also not present in the House in full strength, it could easily manage to sail through as members of almost all opposition parties including Congress, SP, BSP, Trinamool Congress, DMK, BJD, JD(U) and CPI voted for the CPM's amendment.

Battered women in China could finally get a measure of legal protection

After facing domestic abuse by her husband, Li Yang, Kim Lee filed a police report in 2011 and later won a domestic violence case. Her story is one of the two cases that contributed to a landmark new domestic violence law that China plans to pass. (J H Photo/Imagine China)

By Simon Denyer-March 6 at 3:30 AM

BEIJING — China stands on the verge of passing a landmark new domestic violence law, a victory decades in the making that owes much to the extraordinary, and very different, stories of two battered women whose suffering helped prompt a national debate.
Battered Women in China Could Finally Get a Measure of Legal Protection by Thavam Ratna

China: Smog as a Political Analogy

by Chang Ping

“Each and every part (of the petroleum industry) is basically a monopoly.”

“Under a monopoly there can be no innovation.”

“Outsiders can’t break into it at all.”

“It is the one and only child. The toys are all his. He plays with them anyway he wants, and he throws them around.”

(March 5, 2015, Berlin, Sri Lanka Guardian) On camera, one after another, Chinese policy-making officials and environmental administrators indicted the China National Petroleum Corporation, a SOE that has contributed a great deal to air pollution in China according to Chai Jing’s documentary Under the Dome. One quickly realizes that it is also a pretty accurate assessment of the Communist Party regime itself and China’s political landscape.

Under the Doom: Watch here

China Smog as a Political Analogy by Thavam Ratna

Study: 3 to 5 Cups of Coffee a Day May Prevent Heart Attacks

Research highlights potential link between coffee consumption and lower risk of developing clogged arteries.

By Haroon Siddique-March 3, 2015

People who drink three to five cups of coffee a day are less likely to develop clogged arteries that could lead to heart attacks, a study has found.

An international team of researchers, led by the Kangbuk Samsung hospital in Seoul, South Korea, found that people who consume a moderate amount of coffee had the least risk of coronary calcium in their arteries.

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is an early indicator of coronary atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of the arteries, which can cause blood clots that can trigger a heart attack or stroke.

Previously concerns had been expressed about a potential increase in heart disease risk associated with drinking coffee, which has been linked to increased cholesterol concentrations and heightened blood pressure. But the authors of the paper, published in the journal Heart on Monday, said their findings chimed with a recent meta-analysis of 36 studies that showed moderate coffee consumption was associated with a decreased risk of heart disease.

They said: “Our study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that coffee consumption might be inversely associated with CVD [cardiovascular disease] risk. Further research is warranted to confirm our findings and establish the biological basis of coffee’s potential preventive effects on coronary artery disease.”

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) agreed that more work was needed and warned about generalising results garnered from studying research based on the South Korean population to people with different lifestyles and diets.

Researchers examined a group of 25,138 men and women in South Korea, with an average age of 41, who had no signs of heart disease, attending a health-screening examination.

They estimated the CAC score ratios associated with different levels of coffee consumption compared with no coffee consumption, taking into account other factors such as level of education and physical activity, alcohol and cigarette consumption, BMI (body mass index), family history of heart disease and diet.

The ratio was 0.59 for those consuming three to five cups per day, compared with non-coffee drinkers. For those drinking less than one cup a day it was 0.77, falling to 0.66 for people having one to three cups. The ratio rose to 0.81 for people having five or more a day.

The association was similar in subgroups defined by age, sex, smoking status, alcohol consumption, status of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolaemia.

A possible explanation is that chronic coffee consumption has a possible link toreduced risk of type 2 diabetes, a strong risk factor for atherosclerosis, the authors suggested. They also said that coffee drinking might improve insulin sensitivity and the function of β-cells, which store and release insulin.

Victoria Taylor, the BHF senior dietician, said: “While this study does highlight a potential link between coffee consumption and lower risk of developing clogged arteries, more research is needed to confirm these findings and understand what the reason is for the association.

“We need to take care when generalising these results because it is based on the South Korean population, who have different diet and lifestyle habits to people in the UK.”

Public Protest to release Jeyakumary & all political prisoners heldwithout charge

Thursday, 05 March 2015
To date, Jeyakumary has been held without charges for more than 350 days. the 13th of March, 2015, will mark her one year in detention without charges. Her daughter, Vibushika, currently being kept at a Children's Home in the North, made a desperate and heart-wrenching plea to President Sirisena last month, calling on him to release her mother who is innocent and has committed no crime.https://freejeyakumary.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/vibushikas-appeal-to-president-sirisena-please-think-of-me-as-your-child-and-release-my-innocent-very-innocent-mother/

As Jeyakumary is being brought before the Colombo Magistrate Court on March 6th (Friday), we would like to show our solidarity with her, and call on the President and Government of Sri Lanka to release Jeyakumary and all other political prisoners held without charges, some have been held in detention for as long as 10+ years.  

Please do come out in your numbers and join us to reunite Jeyakumary with her daughter, and call on the Government to bring about justice to her and all others held in detention without charges, on March 6th (this Friday), at 9am, outside the Colombo Magistrate Court, Col-02.

For more information about her campaign and case, feel free to visit http://freejeyakumary.wordpress.com/

We hope the media personnel will support our campaign by joining us, and giving this grave issue the coverage it deserves.

Thank you.
Campaign Free Jeyakumary

Singular opportunity to lay foundations for justice and lasting peace - Human Rights Chief

05 March 2015

The High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Al Hussain said the deferral of the report was a "singular opportunity" for the government of Sri Lanka to lay foundations for justice and lasting peace.

Speaking during the presentation of his annual report, the high commissioner urged Sri Lanka to consult with victims when designing mechanisms, and not repeat failures of the past.

Mr Hussain repeated his reason for deferring the OISL report to September, saying it was based on his "assessment of the changing context in Sri Lanka, the broad signals of cooperation I have received from the Government, and the possibility that new information will become available for the report."

"At this session, Member States were also due to consider my report on the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 25/1 on accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, including the findings of the comprehensive investigation mandated by the Council. After serious reflection, and acting upon the suggestion of the investigation's group of experts, I recommended that the presentation of this report be deferred until the 30th session of the Human Rights Council in September. This was based on my assessment of the changing context in Sri Lanka, the broad signals of cooperation I have received from the Government, and the possibility that new information will become available for the report," he said.

"The Government has agreed to invite the Special Rapporteur on Truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence, and the Working Group on enforced and involuntary disappearances, as well as myself, to visit Sri Lanka before the September session. During this period, OHCHR staff also plan to engage on the ground with all stakeholders to advance transitional justice issues. This is a singular opportunity for the Government to lay the foundations in justice for lasting peace and reconciliation. I urge the authorities to consult deeply with the people, particularly victims, in order to design mechanisms that will work and not repeat the failures of the past."

See his full statement here.

Opening Statement, Item 2, High Commissioner's Annual Report

Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Colleagues and Friends,

Singular Opportunity to Lay Foundations for Justice and Lasting Peace - Human Rights Chief by Thavam Ratna

'No Fire Zone' Sinhala version to launch on 10 March 

Thursday, 05 March 2015

A new Sinhala version of award-winning documentary No Fire Zone will be launched at a press conference on Tuesday 10 March at 10am in Room 21, Palace of Westminster.

At an event in the House of Commons on Tuesday 10 March, the producers of multi-award-winning, Emmy-nominated feature documentary No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka will announce the release of a Sinhala language version of the film in what will be seen as a direct challenge to the new government over its commitment to a free media.

This controversial film exposing the war crimes and massacres committed at the end of the civil war in 2009 has been effectively banned in Sri Lanka until now – and anyone helping the film-makers threatened with prosecution.

The announcement will coincide with the visit of new Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to the UK and will take place the day before he is due to have dinner with the Queen. The release of the film in Sri Lanka will allow the majority Sinhala population to see for the first time the shocking evidence of war crimes and massacres committed at the end of the war by their own government’s forces.

The launch will be attended by No Fire Zone Director Callum Macrae, Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh, Conservative MP Lee Scott and others TBC. The meeting will also be addressed by exiled Sinhalese writer Bashana Abeywardane.

All of the above will be available for interview. Director Callum Macrae will be available for interview for two hours following the press conference and launch. Press are invited to attend or to arrange interviews down the line.

Clips from the new version of No Fire Zone (in Sinhalese and English), will be shown and made available as broadcast quality Pro-Res files for the use of broadcasters and media websites.

After Sri Lanka Trip of Feltman, UN Won't Tell ICP If Got Genocide Resolution

By Matthew Russell LeeUNITED NATIONS, March 5 -- Nine days after the UN Human Rights Council under Joachim Rucker granted HCHR Zeid's request to withhold the already delayed report on war crimes in Sri Lanka, the UN on February 26 added Jaffna as a stop to the Sri Lanka visit by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's highest political official Jeffrey Feltman.

  That came two days after Inner City Press asked if Feltman would go to Jaffna, site of protests of the delay, and was told "Colombo only." 

After Sri Lanka Trip of Feltman, UN Won't Tell ICP if Got Genocide Resolution by Thavam Ratna

Countries reaffirm commitment to OISL at UNHRC debate

 05 March 2015

Several countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lankan and its discussion in September, during the interactive debate on High Commissioner Zeid Al Hussain's annual report on Thursday at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

After Sri Lanka was mentioned by several countries and NGOs, the high commissioner in his concluding remarks explained how the decision to defer the OISL report was only taken after "careful and deep consultation" and reiterated the report would be released in September.

The US said it hopes to see evidence of the Sri Lankan government's action on human rights, reconciliation and accountability when the UNHRC looks at the OISL report in September.

Commencing its statement with Sri Lanka, the US said it welcomes Mr Hussain's leadership on the issue.

"We welcome the High Commissioner's leadership in engaging with the Government of Sri Lanka, which led to the extension of the release of the OHCHR investigation's report. We look forward to receiving the report before this Council's September session and hope to see evidence in it of the Sri Lankan government's actions to promote human rights, reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka, consistent with its promises of cooperation noted in the High Commissioner's report," the US representative said.

See full statement here.

The EU said in its statement, which was supported by all EU countries, it urges Sri Lanka to deliver on commitments to engage with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"The EU supports the deferral of Sri Lanka being discussed at the UNHRC and the publication of the OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) report until September. The EU would like to welcome the work of OISL and to reaffirm its commitment to OISL and its final report," the statement said.

"We urge the new Sri Lankan government to deliver on its commitment to engage with the OHCHR. The EU stands ready to support Sri Lanka as it makes progress on its commitments."

The UK said it supported the decision to defer the report until September and expressed the extra time gives an opportunity for the government to deliver on its commitments to make domestic progress on accountability and reconciliation.

"The UK supported your decision to defer discussion of Sri Lanka and the publication of the OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) report until September. The extra time will create an opportunity for the new Sri Lankan government to deliver on tis commitment to engage with the OHCHR and make credible domestic progress on the crucial matters of reconciliation and accountability. The UK would like to reaffirm its commitment to OISL and final report.

Canada also underlined it "continued commitment" to a discussion of the report in September and encouraged Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitment to cooperate with the OHCHR in fulfilling human rights obligations and ensuring accountability and reconciliation.

"Canada acknowledges your decision to request a one-time extension of your office's investigation into human rights violations in Sri Lanka,

"We recognise that this decision was not taken lightly. Canada underlines our continued commitment to a full discussion of the report at the 30th session of the Council. We encourage Sri Lanka to foster a transparent, responsive and pluralistic government, and to fulfil its commitment to cooperate with the OHCHR in fulfilling its human rights obligations and ensuring accountability and reconciliation."

Japan meanwhile said it expects a "constructive dialogue" takes place between Sri Lanka and the OHCHR.

"Japan supports your decision to defer the submission of the report on Sri Lanka, based on the announcement of the new Sri Lankan government's policy of engagement with the international community. We expect that constructive dialogue between the Government of Sri Lanka and OHCHR should take place," the delegation said to the Council.

Albania said it looks forward to the publication of the report in September and welcomed reassurances by the government it would enhance cooperation with human rights mechanisms.

"Albania would like to renew its support to the council's decision on the OHCHR's report on Sri Lanka. We look forward to the publication in September 2015. Albania welcomes the assurances expressed by the new government of Sri Lanka to restore democracy, protect the rule of law and enhance cooperation with human rights mechanisms."

Australia welcomed President Sirisena's commitment to human rights, reconciliation and accountability.

"As a longstanding friend of Sri Lanka, Australia welcomes President Sirisena's commitment to human rights, reconciliation and accountability, and to cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner. We look forward to seeing real progress on all these fronts," the Australian statement said.

Singular opportunity to lay foundations for justice and lasting peace - Human Rights Chief(05 Mar 2015)

Historic Contribution of the Tamils for the Democratic Transition

The coalition government has done well in making the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) function under a civil governor, in giving some lands back to the people, in the way this year’s Independence Day was observed, in the President’s recent visit to the North and East.

by S. J. Emmanuel

( March 5, 2015, Frankfurt, Sri Lanka Guardian) The last regime not only did the Mullivaikal massacre and went further to eradicate the roots of Tamil existence but also changed the governance of the country by constitutional changes and plundering of the state.

A wise coalition of leadership in the south brought out a common-candidate and the regime change was democratically effected with the contribution of all – Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims.

Tamils, encouraged by the courageous call of their leaders to participate in the elections and effect a democratic transition, did not only make a historic contribution in saving the country from a fast deteriorating regime that was arrogantly dictatorial and corrupt to the core.

This change also paved the way in creating democratic space in which accountability for war crimes and political aspirations of the Tamils can be articulated but not realised within Sri Lanka without much military aggression or suppression.

If, Tamils had listened to the calls for boycott, the country would have plunged into further chaos.

Without any promises made to them, the Tamils risked their future on the goodwill and the sincerity of the coalition government. The decisive call by Tamil leaders has demonstrated to the people and leaders in Southern Sri Lanka that permanent peace based on the principles of truth, justice, accountability and equality is within reach if we collectively take courageous and bold steps to achieve it.

But what is happening now?

It is true that the coalition government is entrusted with a heavy responsibility, not only to rectify fundamental errors in good governance, rule of law and corruption that will benefit the whole country, but also initiate bold measures to rectify fundamental issues of the state which have caused a prolonged conflict and a brutal war that left whole Tamil population as victims of successive governments crying for truth and justice.

Coalition government reaping some benefits of the change, but the Tamils fast losing patience

With the coalition government doing their best to effect the promised changes within the 100 days, challenges are emerging both in the South as well as in the North.

While the regime is busy addressing itself to resetting international relations with the major powers, reducing /blocking UNHRC-accusation against the country and removing corruption, the fear of Rajapaksas coming back and the mode of participation of the UNP and the SLFP in the new parliamentary elections are hotly discussed.

The coalition government has done well in making the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) function under a civil governor, in giving some lands back to the people, in the way this year’s Independence Day was observed, in the President’s recent visit to the North and East.

However the Tamils, of whom not a word was spoken before the elections about their grievances for fear of losing Sinhala votes, but who acted decisively in bringing a regime change, appear to be overlooked with regard to their more serious grievances even today.

It is not the words but actions are what needed within the first hundred days of coalition government to demonstrate to the Tamils, justice will be served and they will, sooner than later, have equality and equal stake in the country that belongs to all – Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and all religious minorities.

The Tamil population of victims crying for truth and justice as well as their leaders, who asked them to vote for the regime change, are increasingly impatient and new challenges to people and leadership are fast emerging.

It is an urgent need that the coalition government under President Sirisena, besides addressing problems related to return of lands and resettlement, address itself to the release of uncharged prisoners and initiate moves to search for the missing. Although the question of a political settlement with the Tamils, need more time and effort, some basic principles of a settlement must be spoken out in all seriousness.

My appeal to the South

As a Tamil catholic priest who had besides living and working among the Sinhalese, had also accompanied the Tamil struggle for many decades, I too exhorted the Tamils to participate in the regime change. Hence I wish to place before my Sinhala brothers and sisters the following points:-

This regime change brought out by the progressive forces in the south is a unique and golden opportunity to look in all sincerity to the question as to what went wrong in our post-independent history. The system of government that we inherited and the changes that we made with all enthusiasm then did not make this island a paradise at all. The fact of a multi-ethnic multi religious population was disregarded and an exclusive majoritarian Sinhala Buddhist state was formed as eloquently shown in the national flag. We have inherited a system of government which was successively led by leaders from D. S. Senanayake to Mahinda Rajapaksa. However, we have lived through decades of conflict and war mainly due to systemic errors that overlooked or discriminated the minorities. What happened during the last regime is only a last phase of what Tamils recently accused as a genocide of the state. It is not accusing the government and the leaders who operated the system but the system itself. Instead of blaming persons who took leadership of the state-apparatus, we have to re-examine our foundations and state-apparatus to effect fundamental changes with respect to nation building for a peaceful co-existence of all people.

The present leadership has spoken of “a new culture of politics” and I appreciate the views of some leaders among the Sinhalese prepared to look at the deeper causes of conflict and war. All of us know the limitations of the international bodies starting from the UN and the super powers. Since our goal as citizens of Sri Lanka is to reach peace and reconciliation based on truth and justice, we have to dare to examine the foundations of our state that is almost accused as a failed-state.

My appeal to the Tamils

As one of you I have participated in the struggle with all my convictions on the ultimate triumph of truth and justice. As stated publicly our struggle for truth and justice has a noble/sacred cause, namely freedom, dignity and equality of a people and their basic human rights as a Tamil nation with their traditional homeland. We have gone through a non-violent phase and then a violent phase and now a non-violent internationalised phase. I have been part of all three phases. I will exhort my people who have courageously brought out a regime change, to continue have confidence on their own leaders, preserve their unity of vision and team spirit in reacting to changes beyond our control at the international levels.

Let us not forget that even the most supreme powers of the UN admitted failure in preventing the Mullivaikal massacre. The present effort of the UNHRC is conditioned by the triangular relation between the UNHRC, the Sri Lankan State, a member of the UN and the super powers. We, the victimised Tamils are the objects of their limited and conditioned concern.

The blame for the present situation of the country or of the Tamils cannot be placed only on the

Sinhalese people and their leaders alone. As I explained above, we have inherited a system of government initiated by leaders from all communities. Unfortunately it has brought us all to this plight. The present regime change is a unique chance to examine our foundations and do all that is possible for a better future.

Hence, we who are either victims on the ground or diaspora-stake holders, are called to make careful and responsible moves, not upsetting the international concern for our cause, not giving the new regime to effect some fundamental changes to our governance, and not weakening the unity of our current Tamil leadership when prudence and wise collaboration are the needs of this hour.

Rev (Dr) S.J. Emmanuel – Ordained as a Catholic priest in 1966, he served the Sri Lankan and Asian churches for many years. He was a victim and witness to the armed conflict and has worked tirelessly for the Tamil people and for a just and peaceful Sri Lanka. Rev Emmanuel, who is a practicing Catholic priest in a Parish in Germany and a theologian.

Delay In Addressing Tamil Problem Can Only Give Scope For Hard-Line Attitudes From All Sides To Re-Emerge: GTF

March 6, 2015

The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) has today called upon President Maithripla Sirisena to address concerns of the war affected Tamil people and to work towards meaningful political resolution.

Suren Surendiran -Spokesperson GTF

Issuing a statement the Tamil  diaspora organisation said; “GTF does not underestimate the mammoth task the government faces in several fronts and its notable achievements within a two month period. Nevertheless, we are also concerned that any delay in addressing the Tamil problem can only give scope for hard-line attitudes from all sides to re-emerge, and this will make the task of achieving meaningful progress more difficult in the future.”

We publish below the statement in full;

GTF welcomes the democratic transition process initiated by the new government under the leadership of President Sirisena, which includes the increased space presently available for freedom of expression and rule of law. The 100 day program initiated by the government that aims to crystallise the new governance norms through constitutional amendments is of huge significance for the long term future of Sri Lanka.

The appointment of civilian governors for the Northern and Eastern Provinces is a very important step in the right direction. The demand for these appointments was consistently ignored by the previous regime. It is our belief that these positive developments, if garnered properly, will provide stepping stones to resolve the long standing Tamil national problem in Sri Lanka.

Unfortunately, the record of the government to-date, in addressing most pressing Tamil and other minority issues has been somewhat disappointingly slow. A sense of despair is slowly creeping up among sections of the Tamil population, particularly among those who have been displaced from their land, or kept imprisoned for years, or lost loved ones during the war and waiting for justice, or those still searching for their missing relatives.

GTF does not underestimate the mammoth task the government faces in several fronts and its notable achievements within a two month period. Nevertheless, we are also concerned that any delay in addressing the Tamil problem can only give scope for hard-line attitudes from all sides to re-emerge, and this will make the task of achieving meaningful progress more difficult in the future.

In this context, it is important that the government immediately takes meaningful steps to address a few pressing issues that includes reducing the excessive military presence in the North and East, transferring the land back to the rightful owners from whom the land was expropriated, and releasing Tamil political detainees who have been incarcerated for years without ever being charged. It is also important that the government makes public commitment to comprehensively address the war crimes and reconciliation issues in active collaboration with the UNHRC, and reveal its blueprint to achieve a political solution by negotiating with the elected Tamil representatives.

We welcome President Sirisena’s forthright acknowledgement that the people in the North and East suffered the most during the war, when he visited the North this week. We request President Sirisena to act on the issues highlighted here, as that will help foster a positive environment and build confidence among Tamils, both in Sri Lanka and in Diaspora. Global Tamil Forum, for its part, is fully committed to play a constructive role, in collaboration with other stakeholders, in making all these reality.

Rajitha’s mendacious utterances continue: lies again that elections will be held after elections system is changed

(Lanka-e-News -05.March.2015, 11.45PM) The announcement made by Dr. Rajitha, the Cabinet spokesman that the next Parliamentary  elections will take place only after the elections system is amended, and since this cannot be effected within the time frame, the date of general elections cannot be announced now,  is an absolute lie, according to reports reaching Lanka e news. Dr Rajitha made this   announcement today during a media briefing held to reveal  the Cabinet decisions.

It  is  noteworthy  that at yesterday’s cabinet meeting , no decision was taken regarding the elections system amendments  . Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe‘s view had only been :  if the report prepared in the past by the parliamentary select committee represented by all parties headed by  Dinesh Gunawardena receives the support of all parties , the elections system can be changed.

In any event .the Prime minister earlier on said, the present interim government has been empowered by the people only until  a period of 100 days., and that the parliament shall therefore be duly  dissolved on 23 rd April , in order to hold the general elections. 

As far as the two main political parties are concerned there  is no dispute regarding the amendment to the elections system .But it is among the minor parties that there are issues. At any rate no decision was reached in relation to this at the cabinet meeting yesterday. The President is dumbfounded by Dr. Rajitha’s falsehoods uttered today.

It is unfortunate that Dr. Rajitha by his mendacious utterances has embarrassed the President and government not only on this occasion, but even several times  before: Dr. Rajitha earlier told, the president will contest as the prime minister at the next election, when the president had not even thought about it; he told a decision had been taken pertaining to the Port city project whereas such a decision was never taken; Rajitha also blabbered that K.P. had left the country when that was not the case; his disclosure that the former chief justice gave his letter of resignation to the prime minister was also a lie.

Meanwhile, at the SLFP parliamentary group meeting chaired by  the president, the latter had stated , the relevant officials were summoned to discuss whether the elections system can be changed within the 100 days program as was promised at the presidential elections.

No matter what , in the final analysis ,  Nimal Siripala and his SLFP  group are in their desperation and frustration diabolically  engaging in conspiratorial activities to the detriment of national interests : instead of abolishing the executive presidency they are trying to sabotage it , as well as by falsely claiming that the elections system must be changed , are seeking to drag the 100 days program further in order to render the UNP unpopular among the people. 

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by     (2015-03-05 18:18:52)