Asia’s naked tourist photo trend could be here to stay

Does Asia have a nude tourist problem?

By Asian Correspondent Staff Jun 12, 2015
Images of a group of 10 tourists who stripped naked on the peak of Malaysia’s Mount Kinabalu have been making headlines this week, after locals and Malaysian officials suggested that their actions contributed to the June 5 earthquake that claimed 18 lives.

While the connection between their actions and the quake is tenuous at best, they did manage to offend a lot of people even before the tragic temblor.  Four of the 10 have been detained in Malaysia and are due to appear in court on Sunday.

(MORE: British woman ‘sorry’ for nude pics on ‘sacred’ Malaysian mountain)

Their antics, which could well have gone under the international radar had the quake not happened, look to be the latest incident in what appears to be a growing trend in Asia. More and more tourists are getting into trouble with authorities for picturing themselves in the buff at attractions around Asia, often making matters worse by sharing them on social media.

The group of 10 foreigners posed naked on Mount Kilabalu on May 30. Image via Emil Kaminski’s Facebook page.

There have been a number of incidents already this year.

Three Frenchmen were deported from Cambodia in late January after they were caught taking nude photographs of each other at the famed Angkor Wat temple complex.

The trio – aged in their late teens and early 20s – received six-month suspended sentences, were fined about US$250 each and were immediately deported from the country after they were convicted of producing pornography and for “exposure of sexual organs”. They can not return to Cambodia for four years.

Canadian sisters Lindsey and Leslie Adams apparently didn’t get the memo. About one week after the Frenchmen were kicked out of the country, the 20-something sisters suffered the same fate after they were caught taking images of their butts at the ancient temple complex.

Lindsey (left) and Leslie Adams in court before being deported from Cambodia.

“They lowered their pants to their knees and took pictures of their buttocks,” said Keat Bunthan, a senior heritage police official in northwestern Siem Reap province.

In May a Hong Kong model caused a bit of a stir in northern Thailand after images and videos of her performing a naked bungee jump were circulated on social media.

A Hong Kong model made headlines in Thailand last month after her naked bungee jump in Chiang Mai. Image from vkizz.com.

While earlier this month photographer ‘Wanimal’ incurred the wrath of Chinese authorities after taking images of a model in various states of undress at Beijing’s ancient Forbidden City and posting them to his website – NSFW.

As happens with images like these, they went viral and made a lot of people angry. ‘Wanimal’ was accused of profaning cultural sites, but said he was just doing his job.  “I was only doing my work and did not affect anyone,” he said.

Image from Wanimal’s’ website.

mage via Weibo.

Judging by the above examples the naked tourist photo trend could be here to stay. So far, authorities have been pretty lenient with clothes-shy tourists, simply packing them off home at the worst. However, that could change amid growing annoyance with some tourists’ blatant disregard for local cultural sensitivities. The outcome of Sunday’s proceedings in Malaysia could tell a lot.

Your Birth Month May Predict Your Risk for Certain Diseases

by Elizabeth Goldbaum, Staff Writer - June 10, 2015

 

Your birthday may predict your chances of getting certain diseases, according to a new study.

 

In the study, researchers found that people's birth months were linked with the risk of getting one or more of 55 different diseases. Overall, people in the study who were born in May were least likely to get a birth-month-related disease, whereas people born in October were most likely to get one.

 

"This data could help scientists uncover new disease risk factors," Nicholas Tatonetti, the senior author of the study and an assistant professor of biomedical informatics at Columbia University, said in a statement.

 

Previous research had shown that people born in winter — when the days are shorter and people may not get enough sun to produce adequate vitamin D — were more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency, and also may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The researchers of the new study wondered whether people's risk of other conditions also depended on the month of their birth.

They looked at 1.7 million medical records from patients at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in New York City who were born between 1900 and 2000, and treated between 1985 and 2013. Most people in the study were between ages 20 and 60.

Ten cardiovascular diseases were tied to people's birth month, with people born during the winter months generally having the highest risk, the researchers said. For example, both cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) and hypertension (high blood pressure) were highest among those who were January babies, and lowest among people born in September and October.

It's not clear exactly why heart disease risk may be higher in people born during the winter, the researchers said. But it could be that there are more infections in pregnant women during winter months, and that these infections contribute to increased cardiovascular disease amongchildren born at that time of the year.

The study also found that the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was higher in people born during the later months of the year, with the risk peaking for those born in November. This may be because children born toward the end of the year are more immature compared with their classmates in school, so they may be more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, the researchers said. [How Your Birth Month Affects Your Risk of Disease (Infographic)]

Although the study population was diverse, the researchers did not look at whether variations in ethnicities or socioeconomic factors could have affected the results, the researchers noted.

Mary Boland, a researcher at Columbia University and lead author of the study, said the researchers would like to expand the study to include data on people living in other locations. She said that different climates and environments could alter the relationship between disease and birth month. However, she expects many of the correlations will stay the same.

“I think the general public will be surprised at this type of result,” Boland told Live Science in an email. The study suggests that the prenatal environment may be important for health later in life, however, people "should not be overly concerned," she said.

Indeed, "The risk related to birth months is relatively minor when compared to more influential variables like diet and exercise," Tatonetti noted.
The study was published in the Journal of American Medical Informatics Association in June.

Follow Elizabeth Goldbaum on Twitter. Follow Live Science @livescience,Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science

 

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Sincerely to the LSSP-Stay true to who you are!-Dr .Vickramabahu Karunarathne

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

LSSP was one of the few if not the only Party in the world, at that time, to embrace the positions of the Left opposition led by Leon Trotsky, opposed to the mistaken policies of Stalin. In the light of thinking of Trotsky, it is possible to search the situation in the present world. In a struggle for the establishment of democracy in any country in the modern world, it is the organized working class that should take the lead. In cities where power is concentrated, mass power rest with the proletariat.

Other classes such as professionals, intelligentsia, and students may be active, but incapable of sustaining a struggle. These middle elements become the instrument of liberal bourgeoisie who often come to power at the end of the struggle. Middle classes with the connivement of international bourgeoisie will help the liberals to come to power.

Except Marxists who understand the role of the petty bourgeoisie, others make the masses believe that democratic revolution should conclude under the leadership of liberals. Some Marxists who followed the line of thinking of Stalin agreed to compromise with the latter idea. This led to the division within the LSSP, even in the early period.

Workers' party

Thus it was those members of the Sama Samaja Party who supported the policies of Stalin who were expelled from the Party in 1938/39. Thereafter the Party aligned itself with the 4th International formed by Trotsky, a little prior to his assassination by a Stalinist agent in August 1940. The Lanka Sama Samaja Party, though its leaders were from the upper Middle Class intelligentsia, was from its very inception a workers' party or a party of the working class. Its aim of ushering in a Socialist Society in this country had to be under the leadership of the working class supported by the poor peasantry.

People such as Lesley and Hector understood that socialism can be achieved only under a world revolution, and talk of socialism in one country could only mean social reforms and social welfare. Such leaders had an understanding of the democratic tasks faced by the people in Lanka. However, they too were not able to understand fully, the national problem that could divide the country. They did not go beyond Parity of languages. This is exposed in the book by Lesley on party history:-

'The LSSP took its seats in the Opposition and, as the single largest party in the Opposition; the Leadership of the Opposition fell to it. However, at the commencement, the LSSP defined its attitude to the new MEP Government as one of "responsive cooperation". This attitude however changed to one of opposition very soon, when the Government introduced its "Sinhala Only" Bill.

This was the occasion for minor riots. But in 1958, when a pact which the Prime Minister, Bandaranaike, had concluded with the Federal Party broke down, there were widespread riots and killings, followed by a period of Emergency which lasted several months. For a number of months political life was at a virtual standstill. ---- . Finally, Sinhalese communalism and Tamil communalism, which were roused to a high pitch by the policies of the Government itself and by the public declarations of many of its leaders, resulted in widespread rioting and Emergency rule, which threatened the unity of the country and brought the normal administration practically to a standstill. Even to think of economic development in such conditions was not possible. Such is the irony of history. The very question which more than any other had helped to bring the MEP Government to power proved to be the biggest obstacle in the way of the progress of that Government.'

There is no discussion on devolution or Banda- Chelva pact. LSSP neither defended nor supported this democratic resolution. However, the Communist party which did not accept that the democratic tasks can be completed only under proletarian leadership was able to discuss the national problem in relation to the Right of self Determination. For a short period Asoka Abewardhana's father became the general secretary as he introduced the discussion on self- determination. However, even the Communist party failed to make public these ideas.

Civil unrest

In this modern world Marxist parties defer from liberals not only on the issue of socialism. World over, the problems of human rights and other democratic issues have come to the fore front. Even in Britain and America, equality issues have become important in all elections. Recently, huge mass actions took place in America on issues related to democracy. In April 12, 2015, Freddie Carlos Gray, Jr., a 25-year-old African-American, was arrested by the Department for possessing what the police alleged was an illegal switchblade. While being transported in a police van, Gray fell into a coma and was taken to a trauma center. Gray died on April 19, 2015; his death was ascribed to injuries to his spinal cord. Gray's death resulted in an ongoing series of protests and civil disorder.

A major protest in downtown Baltimore on April 25, 2015, turned violent, resulting in 34 arrests and injuries to 15 police officers. After Gray's funeral on April 27, civil unrest intensified with looting and burning of local businesses and a CVS drug store, culminating with a state of emergency declaration by Governor Lawrence Hogan. It led to Maryland National Guard deployment to Baltimore, and the establishment of a curfew until May 3.

Liberal Democrats

In UK, the Scottish National Party, having enjoyed a surge in support since the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, became the third largest party in the Commons by winning 56 of the 59 seats in Scotland, mostly at the expense of Labour. The Liberal Democrats, led by the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, suffered their worst result since 1970 and held just eight out of their previous 57 seats. The Green Party won their highest ever share of the vote with 3.8% and held their only seat of Brighton Pavilion with a larger majority.

The campaign was marked by the growing support for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), which came third in terms of votes with 12.9% though won only a single seat. Result shows that national problem have become a major issue surpassing social and class problems.

In both these powerful developed countries, democratic problems have attracted mass attention and campaigns have demanded speedy solutions. While development with high technology has reduced the rate of profit to an alarming level, where state has to intervene in a big way to save capitalism; mass consciousness has developed in the direction of democracy and human rights.

In that scenario, it is a grave tragedy that in this country, the so called Marxist leaders of old Sama Samajist movement, including those of Communist party are in the name of socialism, hangs on to leaders who have dragged the country to fascist- styled rule with the support of worst kind of MNCs.

- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/stay-true-who-you-are#sthash.vlxH1COJ.dpuf

Sri Lanka: Deterioration of the Legal Intellect ( Part 11)

How To Achieve Miracle?

by Basil Fernando

( June 11, 2015, Hong Kong SAR, Sri Lanka Guardian) In this series of short essays I have attempted to demonstrate the terrible situation of institutions of justice- police, prosecutors and the judiciary- through some samples. I have also tried to show how intricately linked are the political and societal crisis plaguing the country and the sad state of justice institutions.

In this essay, I will try to go through the same exercise by narrating stories which stand in opposition to the Sri Lankan experiences. I have been living in Hong Kong for nearly 25 years. Owing to the shared colonial past, the basic structure of the justice institutions here are almost the same as they are in Sri Lanka. However, the stories that I have told in this article series would be shocking, in fact almost unbelievable, to the present generation of people living in Hong Kong. For the older generation which has lived here before 1970s, however, the Sri Lankan stories would be a reminder of how things were here as well.

The situation here has changed a lot from the 1970s and judiciary enjoys highest level of confidence from all sections of the society. The judiciary, in fact, is respected as the chief protector of rule of law and stability of the dynamic metropolis. There is broad consensus that rule of law is the foundation of society. Everyone agrees that it protects individual rights and also creates an enabling environment for the security of investments and thus contributes to economic development. The prestige the judges have here would make any person proud to be member of judiciary.

The government has also ensured that necessary financial arrangements required for providing a functional system of justice are made. All modern facilities are provided, down to the detail of tape recording of all court proceedings. The result of these arrangements is obvious- Hong Kong has a fair system of adjudication without delay. Among the more expensive aspects of justice system in Hong Kong is running a truly efficient system of control of corruption, through the prestigious Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). This institution has proven its metal and enjoys the confidence of the people.

The discipline brought about by corruption control has been felt in all state services including the police. It also enjoys the confidence of the people. People are not afraid to complain against the police, whenever there are reasons to do and these complaints are quickly and fairly investigated and corrective action is taken speedily. All such matters are duly conveyed to the people. Over the years, police have fought a credible battle against all kinds of crime, while at the same time respecting the rights of the people involved.

Same can be said of the office of the public prosecutor which functions under the department of justice. Its functions by the principles of jurisprudence and there is no political subservience in its functioning. Attorney General Department is the legal adviser to the government and in this capacity it plays a prominent role in maintaining rule of law.

All this machinery has solidly impressed on the population that law is observed strictly and fairly for everyone irrespective of socioeconomic status.

Lawyers in Hong Kong also abide by this ethos. The Bar Association provides for a strict control of discipline and all complaints against lawyers are credibly and thoroughly investigated and acted upon.

That is the framework within which, politicians also function. No one is privileged with impunity. Impunity, in fact, is no more a part of the system.

The justice system has made special arrangements for protecting minorities, through the Equal Opportunities Commission for instance. One of the remarkable aspects of the Hong Kong life is the way, women have been able to assert their rights and have made their presence felt everywhere. Rule of law is upheld in all matters relating to sexual offences as well.

The result of all this is a vibrant civil society. People are assertive and they make sure that they get the respect they deserve. There are many open and active protests and small and big demonstrations. Recent protests of the umbrella movement demonstrates how strong these protests can be. All these activities are carried out within a rule of law frame work and justice institutions ensure that conflicting claims are settled in a just manner.

My idea here is not to create the impression of a paradise but to argue that the problems that exist in justice institutions in Sri Lanka can be resolved. One must concede that the present state of things is horrible. That is more the reason why we need to focus and strive for solutions.

I came to live in Hong Kong only because, I was not allowed to live in peace and practice my profession with honour back in Sri Lanka. My name was included in a death list just because I attempted to practice my profession with honour and without fear of undue pressures. Even as I was coming to the airport to leave Sri Lanka with a protective ring of few well wishers, we were pursued by a group of four persons security agencies, sent from the house of a cabinet minister living in the area. They failed only because a tire of the vehicle they were following us with got punctured. Quite contrary to that experience, Hong Kong, the city state which came to host me for all these years did not give me a single occasion to complain of any harassment. The difference of two places in my view lies with their respective justice institutions- police, prosecution and the judiciary.

I wrote this essay as a response to a comment made by a reader of my past article (part 10 of the series), who in good humour has said, “the writer must be dreaming”. I want to assure him that my reflections are product of my life experiences. I have had opportunity to see both- the harms justice systems can cause and also,the good they can do to the society.

Previous parts of this article series;

SRI LANKA: Deterioration Of The Legal Intellect (10): “Justice System” as a threat to democracy and rule of law

SRI LANKA: Deterioration Of The Legal Intellect (9): The Rape Victim Who Got Hell Of A Justice

SRI LANKA: Deterioration of the Legal Intellect (8): Institutions for Administration of Justice are Far More Important than the Military

SRI LANKA: Deterioration of the legal intellect (7): Delays in adjudication as a manifestation of learned helplessness

SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka Deterioration of the legal intellect (6): Pattini Razeek’s body buried within a half built private house

SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka Deterioration of the legal intellect (5): A conversation with the Prime Minister on periodic massacres of youth since 1971

SRI LANKA: Deterioration of the legal intellect: (4) UNHRC finds fault with the police, the forensic pathologist, the Attorney General, and the Supreme Court

SRI LANKA: Deterioration of the legal intellect: (3) Descent into the selling of children [ Sinhala translation here]

SRI LANKA: Deterioration of the legal intellect: (2) Father, mother, and son killed in retaliation for filing a fundamental rights petition against five police officers

SRI LANKA: Deterioration of the legal intellect: 1) Quelling mass protests with extrajudicial killings

Mr. President: Enact The 20A Through A Referendum

By Nagananda Kodituwakku –June 11, 2015

Nagananda Kodituwakku

Mr. President: Enforce Articles 85 & 86 of the Constitution to enact the 20A through a referendum

Watchful and concerned citizens are witnessing as to how the PresidentSirisena’s proposed 20th amendment to the Constitution is being effectively hijacked by the Rajapaksa clan, demanding more MPs under the Proportional Representation System to the Parliament.

Historical background

When the British left this country, a time-tested democratic system of governance, was established in this country, based on the British Westminster style that prevails untouched even today in the UK. Under this system all members to the House of Commons are directly elected by the people and but not a single member is appointed or elected by any other means. Under Westminster democracy, all candidates are required to prove their worth to their respective constituencies and are required to win a clear mandate over all other opposing candidates.

JRJ removed the Westminster Democracy for a private benefit

When JRJ was elected to office in 1977, this truly democratic system was abandoned and relying on the voter-base the UNP enjoyed countrywide, the current proportional representation system was established. This invariably permitted all undesired people, including ethanol smugglers, drug dealers, murderers, sexual offenders and many other anti-social elements to enter into mainstream politics. As a result the legislature was heavily burdened with social liabilities, who have entered the Parliament after aggressive and expensive election campaigns. And it is sad to note that it has been customary for the Executive to abuse the office of the Attorney General to have the indictments, served on such criminals who have become MPs, withdrawn.

People have lost faith in the PR system

Fed up and disgusted with the character and conduct of such people dominating the legislature, the people have given a clear mandate to President Maitripala Sirisena to revert to the Westminster style of governance that offers only a very slim chance for the cheats to become MPs over their opponents who are with a high degree of integrity and social stand.
Read More

India: Journalist Burnt Alive; UP Minister, Cops Charged

11/06/2015

BAREILLY: Uttar Pradesh minister in charge of dairy development, Ram Murti Verma, has been charged with murder after a Shahjahanpur-based journalist, who had mounted on social media a relentless campaign again him, died of burn injuries late Monday evening.

Jagendra Singh, his family alleged on Tuesday, was set on fire by a bunch of cops and goons sent by Verma on June 1, at his house. The scribe had been struggling for life for the past week at a hospital in Lucknow.

Police have now filed an FIR against the minister and 4 others, including the Kotwali station in-charge, under Sections 302 (murder), 504 (insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.

READ ALSO: IPS officer claims he has ‘dying declaration’ of the victim

Singh had written extensively about the plight of an Aganwadi worker who had told a court recently that she had been gang-raped by the minister and some of his henchmen. In his dying declaration, cops said, the journalist blamed Verma for ordering the attack and narrated how a similar attempt had been made on his life on April 28.

“They (the raiding police team) had a heated argument with my father, caught hold of him, poured petrol over his body and set him on fire,” Raghvendra Singh, the slain journalist’s son, told TOI on Tuesday. “My father had incurred the minister’s wrath for taking up the case of the Anganwadi worker .”

The woman had recently pleaded with a local court that an FIR against the accused be registered for the crime allegedly committed on May 5 this year. Verma has then blamed “political rivals” and the now-deceased journalist of “orchestrating the incident and planting the case” against him.

Jagendra Singh’s family alleged that on Tuesday, Singh was set on fire at his Shahjanpur house by a bunch of cops and goons sent by minister Ram Murti Verma.
Mrigank Tiwari,/ TNN

Read CPJ calls for investigation into journalist's burning death; police accus

A closer look at Sampur coal power plant

By Eng Parakrama Jayasinghe-

June 9, 2015, 12:00 pm 

parajayasinghe@gmail.com

Continued from yesterday

Cost of the Externalities – Health and Environmental Impacts

All of above deals with only the cost items 1-5. But what about the all important item 6,- Externalities. This deals the impact on many sectors of which the health and environmental degradation are the most important.

A Closer Look at Sampur Coal Power Plant 2 by Thavam Ratna

President Sirisena saved UNP from being hijacked 

UNP should defend the President from Rajapaksa cronies

2015-06-09

ow, that the UNP is in the government, it is easy to forget the existential problems the Green Party had barely few months ago.
During those not so distant days, the UNP made headlines not for Opposition political activism, but for an inner-party power struggle. Ranil Wickremesinghe faced with a leadership challenge, clung miserably to the leadership.

President Sirisena Saved UNP From Being Hijacked by Thavam Ratna

On Ranil’s Formula For Electoral Reforms

By Sujata Gamage –June 11, 2015

Dr. Sujata Gamage

Issues for consideration in the latest 125+75+25 formula for electoral reforms

On 8^th of June we were told that the cabinet had made the decision for a 225 MP legislature which will include 125 MPs elected under the first-past-the-post (FPP) system, 75 MPs under the PR system and 25 MPs under national list. Although not explicitly stated, the terminology suggests amixed member majoritarian (MMM) system similar to that proposed in the 2007 report of Parliamentary Select Committee.

Not surprisingly, this announcement by the Cabinet was a bombshell for those who were learning to live with electoral reforms within a 255-member parliament where 165 members returned on a first past the post basis and an electoral architecture which is a variant of the mixed member proportional (MMP) system used in New Zealand.

As a policy analyst, my discipline has taught me that one should be prepared to respond to political winds, whichever direction they may blow. In fact, as early as March 2^nd, a group of us with an interest in data and analysis in public policy started off a campaign at Nagarodaya, Borella, to bring a more broad-based analytical perspective to the reforms process. Since then we evaluated various combinations of FPP, district PR and national PR compositions of Parliament within the two basic architectures in electoral reforms – MMM and MMP. We found that most methods would work, but, each needed its own specific tinkering. Later, given arguments for difficulties in delimitation with less than 150 or 160 FPP seats and technical issues regarding the application of the MMP method which seemed to be the more politically feasible until a few days ago, our focus was increasingly turned to a 255-member Parliament.

One may not agree with the timing of the new formula with a 225-member Parliament, but it is better late than never, considering that the next election is very likely to be held under the old system, and we are looking at reforms that will come into effect years later. Without the specifics in hand it is difficult to critique the new proposal, but, we can look at some general principles until the specifics become available.

Arguments for a Parliament of 225 or less                Read More

An intrigue to remove Ranil and appoint Chamal as Prime Minister – Broker Athuruliye Rathna

(Lanka-e-News- 11.June.2015, 11.00PM) Lanka e News inside information exposes a conspiracy by the defeated UPFA majority parliament to oust the current Prime Minister Ranil Wicramasinghe by a no confidence motion and appoint the speaker Chamal Rajapaksa as the new premier.

The leader of this intrigue is the MP of Jathika Hela Urumaya and presidential advisor Ven. Athuruliye Rathna.  Lanka e News inside information reveals that Ven. Athuruliye Rathna had a meeting with Chamal Rajapaksa more than two hours at his official residence.

LEN confirms that Ven. Athuruliye Rathna has gone to the speaker’s house from the president’s house. Meantime Ven Athuruliye Rathna who met Basil Rajapaksa in the hospital when he was under remand custody sometimes back has also spoken to him for more than two hours.

Further LEN confirms that it is Jathika Hela Urumaya who is behind the curtain of bringing Gotabaya Rajapaksa in to active politics.

It is believed that all these conspiracies are in the aim of reversing the January 8th victory. The January 8th Peoples force told us that they are vigilant and active about these conspiracies.

---------------------------
by     (2015-06-11 18:42:35)

CAFFE CONDEMNS ATTEMPTS TO DERAIL VICTORIES OF 19A MPS WHO FAILED A/LS QUESTION QUALIFICATIONS OF ARIYARATNE, COOMARSWAMY AND SALAM


2015-06-12
A number of MPs have used the debate on the composition of the Constitution Council (CC) and the appointment of civil members to the CC to derail the progress made by the 19th amendment to the constitution.

Parliament was unable to come to a consensus about the three civil members yesterday (June 10th) and because of this the activities of the Bribery Commission and the appointment of the Elections Commission  have come to a standstill. Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya celebrated his 60th birthday last week but due to the stalemate on CC he is unable to retire, which is a right he should enjoy after a distinguished career.

Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) believes that it is the most corrupt members of parliament who are against the appointment of the CC. We have identified that a number of MPs who were infamous for election law violations, election related violence, abusing state property shamelessly, attempted to intimidate the public servants and bribe voters are at the forefront of the campaign to stop the CC being appointed. Moreover the those who have a number of corruption charges and are fearing imminent arrest are doing their best to stop the appointment of an independent Bribery Commission. These individuals have vested interested in derailing the victories of the 19th amendment.

CaFFE also noted that a number of MPs, including national Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, questioned the qualifications of the three nominated civil members to the CC, Dr.A.T. Ariyaratne, Dr.Radhika Coomarswamy and A.W.A. Salam in parliament. CaFFE finds it ironic that these MPs, most of them belong to the 142 MPs who do not have passed A/L, are questioning these three distinguished individuals.

Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne announced earlier today (June 11th) that the government will commence the activities of the CC with seven MPs who are appointed and that the independnat committees will be appointed soon and CaFFE believes that it is the duty of all who are interested in good governance must stand together and defeat the attempts to derail the victories of 19A.

Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon,
Executive Director – CaFFE
June 11th, 2015

Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon
Executive Director/CaFFE
Executive Director/CHR-Sri Lanka
100/19 A, Welikadawatta Road,
Rajagiriya,Sri Lanka.

www.caffe.lk
+94 777791225+94 777791225