Campaign to Refer Sri Lanka to Int’l Criminal Court Reached Over 200,000 Signatures: TGTE

Thursday, 25 June 2015

The signature campaign to urge the United Nations to Refer Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed against Tamils by the Sri Lankan State, has reached over 200,000 signatures as of June 22nd, said Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE).

This Campaign is in fifteen languages at : www.tgte-icc.org

In addition to the on-line signature campaign, numerous events are taking place in different countries around the world to collect signatures.

Volunteers are going house to house to collect signatures. Additionally they collect signatures outside places of worship, in shopping malls, sports meets and other public events. Signatures are also being collected at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

This signature campaign was formally launched by a Former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark outside the UN headquarters in New York. During the inauguration he said "The suffering of the Tamils should come to an end, and Tamils should get justice."

Petition Observes:

1) The petition observed that the presence of the former Commander of the Sri Lankan military in the present Government, and the potential culpability of the new President, Mr. Sirisena, will not be conducive to meting out justice in any manner other than through a referral to the International Criminal Court.

2) The appeal highlight the fact that “according to the UN Internal Review Report on Sri Lanka, there were “credible estimates” of civilian casualties of 70,000 Tamils during the first six months in 2009. As the former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pointed out, Sri Lanka is one of the notable countries, along with Bosnia, Burma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and elsewhere, where rape was used as a tactic of war.”

The Petition Further States:
1) The current situation in Sri Lanka constitutes an ongoing “threat to the peace” under Chapter 7 Article 39 of the UN Charter, because there has been absolutely no accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

2) We firmly believe that neither a domestic mechanism nor a hybrid mechanism will mete out justice to the Tamil people. The call by the new Sri Lankan government for a domestic or hybrid mechanism to replace any international judicial process is an attempt to deflect the call for referral to the ICC and to delay other meaningful actions on accountability. Efforts to establish a domestic Truth and Reconciliation Commission is another diversionary tactic to protect those who committed serious crimes against Tamils.

3) It is emphasized in the Petition attached to the Campaign that the crimes against the Tamils on the island of Sri Lanka were perpetrated by the State itself. The petition also pointed out, as observed by the UN Panel of Experts Report, that there existed no political environment to mete out justice for Tamils.

4) It also noted that the promise made by the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UN following the 1983 racial pogrom - that they will hold an investigation - has never been kept.

The Petition is available in Tamil, Sinhala, English, Russian, Chinese, Malay, Bangla, Urdu, Hindi, French, German, Arabic, Swahili, Turkic and Spanish. A website has been created for the purpose of collecting signatures www.tgte-icc.org

EVENTS:
TGTE is organizing a Panel at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on June 25th titled: “Accountability for Sri Lanka: Can Hybrid Mechanism Work?
http://world.einnews.com/pr_news/272355578/un-event-accountability-for-sri-lanka-will-hybrid-mechanism-work

Last week a panel was held by TGTE at the UN Human Rights Council titled: "Impending High Commissioner's Report on Sri Lanka: Comparing North Korea & Sudan recommendations for mass atrocities."

Importance of India for Sri Lanka and the need for Sri Lanka to maintain friendly relations with India

India as a successful and tolerant democracy, and Sri Lanka at the cross roads to kick start its accountable democratic values must work towards promoting the principle of ‘India for Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka for India’. This must be stretched for the socio-economic benefit of both the countries.

by Rajasingham Jayadevan

( June 25, 2015, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is an inter twined historical bond. The underlying commonalities between the two nations and their geographical positioning, even after the historical geological drifts of which Sri Lanka is of miniscule part, have not changed the intrinsic relationship.

Importance of India for Sri Lanka and the Need for Sri Lanka to Maintain Friendly Relations With India by Thavam Ratna

The Future Of The Country Has Begun With The 19A

By Savitri Goonesekere –June 25, 2015

Prof. Savitri Goonesekere

Excellencies of the diplomatic community, Mr Abeykoon, Secretary to the President, officials of the Presidential Secretariat, ladies and gentleman,

It may sound as if I am repeating what has already been said when I say that I share the sentiments expressed by both Mr. Dhanapala and Prof. Munasinghe. To me, as a citizen, the 19th Amendment brings new beginnings. I say that because, sometimes we suffer in this country from a collective sense of amnesia. We also know that this country has many good laws. But our problem is that even when we have the law in the books and we do not implement it. However when we look at the 1978 constitution we note the fact that law was not in place because we had many restriction on the democratic process and it was a law that needed to be changed. It was distressing to see the debate on the 19th amendment and I think that is why I said we have a collective sense of amnesia, because we know as citizens what happened and how the constitution is interpreted and particularly through the 18th amendment how we saw how a government which had come into power with massive peoples power eventually dismantled democracy. It was distressing to see in parliament what should have gone through with absolute consensus, as an opportunity for democracy had to be negotiated in a process that in my view, undermined some of the opportunities for Constitution making. As a lawyer I have to say that the 19th amendment is a reflection of new beginnings, but as a lawyer I want something more, I want for this country fundamental constitutional change and constitution making because that is a challenge of a country that has emerged from a period of armed conflict. That has been the experience of nations. A new constitution in a participatory consultative environment which is not top down, can address the need to heal wounds, and to really make for fresh beginnings. And I certainly hope therefore, as a citizen of this country, every single party that is seeking our votes will come forward with an agenda of complete constitutional reform. Having said that I also recognize the difficulties of doing that in the kind of adversarial political environment that we have. And it is therefore in that context that we have to see the 19th amendment, as Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala said, as creating the opportunities for democratic culture and for addressing the democratic deficit that we have seen in this country. It is that context that I would like to make a few comments to add to what has been said by the other speakers.                             Read More  

Choose the ‘better’ devil, asks Sobitha Thero

June 25, 2015 

Chairman of the National Movement for a Just Society, Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, on Thuerday (25) urged the party leaders to refrain from giving nominations to those charged with corruption, murder, child abuse, and drug related incidents.

The observation was made at a press conference held in Colombo.

“I insist the party leaders not give nominations to such persons,” he said, adding that the voters also have a responsibility to ‘think twice’ before they cast votes.

He also went into say that the present society is facing the consequences of not having the right decision at the last general election.

“If the main two parties nominate devils at the forthcoming election, then the people will have to choose the ‘better’ devil,” Sobitha Thero added.    

The Thero asserted that the candidates should declare their assets beforehand and should also reveal the manner how they obtained money for the election campaigns.

‘Former govt "misused" Rs 28 bn allocated for road development’

By Hasitha Ayeshmantha-June 24, 2015, 6:38 pm 

Minister of Highways and Investment Promotion Kabir Hashim, Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake and Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said that the former government has ‘misused’ Rs 28 billion which were initially allocated by for road development projects.

Addressing the media at a recent press briefing in Colombo, Finance Minister Karunanayake alleged that the former government has misused Rs.28 billion off a fund which was set-up from loans acquired from the National Savings Bank (NSB) for road development projects. Minister of Highways and Investment Promotion Kabir Hashim and Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen were also present at the briefing.

‘The Opposition keeps on blindly lashing out at the new government claiming that we are acquiring unnecessary debts, but these figures prove that they are the ones who were in debt over their heads. Our investigations have revealed that the former government has acquired a total of Rs.834 billion in debts; this is a substantial amount of debt even considering the development projects, Karunanayake added.

The Finance Minister further stressed that the new government was able to bring down the acquired debt to Rs.584 billion within a short period of time. The minister also remarked that the former government had launched road development projects worth over Rs.594 billion without proper Cabinet approval.

Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, Minister of Highways and Investment Promotion and the General Secretary of the United National Party Kabir Hashim said that the Ministry of Highways is an institution which was criticized massively in the past. He added that even though the former government claims that road development projects were taking place throughout the country, he has received a phenomenal amount of complains from rural areas claiming that that they do not have proper roads.

‘The first thing that came to my attention as soon as I took over the Ministry of Highways was that the ministry lacks transparency when it comes to the funds allocated for the previous government’s road development projects. We have discovered several instances where road development projects were handed out to the contractors without conducting a proper competitive bidding process, Minister Hashim added.

He also maintained that according to the indicators provided by a survey, the cost for 1km of a dual lane road could range from Rs. 75 million to Rs.120 million, depending on the nature of the land. However, the Minister of Highways asserted that the previous government has listed down funds ranging from Rs.200 million to Rs.700 million for 1km of certain road development projects.

‘It was also revealed that the contracts for road development projects were handed out purely through influence and furthermore, it was learnt that a great sum of money could have been saved by cutting off some main contractors who deployed subcontractors for their quota and earned a pure profit by doing nothing. Another substantial amount of funds have gone missing during the time of elections as well, and now as a result certain projects are on hold, he said.

The minister said that all the necessary details have been forwarded to the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) and that a special anti-corruption committee is appointed to resolve the matter and make sure that the responsible parties are prosecuted by the law.

Anti Muslim Sentiment in Sri Lanka: Hate Incidents – January to April 2015

Overview.-25/06/2015 

The outcome of the presidential election of January 2015 created expectations of change, hope and reform among considerable sections of Sri Lankan society. For Muslim communities, who played a pivotal role in the election, the change in Government was willed into being in part due to the insecurity and violence suffered by Muslims particularly in the South of the country over the last two years.

Incidents_Jan-April_2015.pdf by Thavam Ratna

Pictures Of UNP’s Colombo Mayor Ahamed Jamaldeen Mohamed Muzammil Playing Casino Goes Viral

June 25, 2015 

The United National Party as the then main opposition took a firm stand in October 2013, when they unanimously decided to vote against the attempts made by the Rajapaksa regime to legalize casinos through a draft legislation which was presented in Parliament.

However, recent photographs of the Mayor of Colombo, UNP’s Ahamed Jamaldeen Mohamed Muzammil‘s full action playing high stakes in a casino is going viral in social media.

The UNP PC MP, President’s Counsel Srinath Perera wrote to the UPFP PC member Udaya Gammanpila the following letter in February 2014;

Mr Udaya Gammanpila,

District Leader of Colombo for the UPFA.

Dear Mr. Gammanpila,

We have come to know – through media reports – that you have launched your election campaign under the auspices of Defense Secretary Gorabhaya Rajapaksa.

Gota and GammanpilaAlthough you brag about political ethics and adherence to election laws, you have launched your election campaign under the aegis of a government official, showing the level of your hypocrisy and duplicity.

It is an offence to use state officials and state property in an election campaign under any circumstance, and the fact that you have violated election laws in public at very outset of your campaign disqualified you from boasting about political ethics or “new political culture”                      Read More

Yet another security chief contracts mania of arms training to wives :Waste of pubic funds

(Lanka-e-News -25.June.2015, 11.30PM) Following the conclusion of the war, apparently the security chiefs of Sri Lanka (SL) are afflicted with a new mania. This mania is providing training in  shooting to their wives. In the wake of the recent  exposure in this connection of a CID director,  today ,Saman Nishantha Dissanayake .  a senior assistant secretary in charge of arms of the defense ministry has repeated this wasteful exercise.

In this photographs are Dissanayake with  his wife  who is undergoing arms training on 20 th June in the VIP range of Katunayake STF firing zone wasting public money.

The photos herein depict how his wife is undergoing training in how to use  mini uzi firearm and  weapons from 9.00 in the morning under an  ASP of the STF assisted  by  two sergeants .

Nishantha  Dissanayake who hails from an ordinary  farmer family of Moneragala, during the tenure of office of Gotabaya , joined the defense ministry . Thereafter , in no time most shockingly he became an owner of many acres of paddy lands in Moneragala , and a businessman.

Since the time of Gotabaya he had been a senior  assistant secretary in charge  of arms and ammunition in the defense ministry having faced no disasters. During this period he  amassed a large amount of wealth through illicit commissions collected from the importers of illegal arms, which had enabled him to lead a super luxury life now. 

In these circumstances , it is most rudely shocking that even after the advent of the much hyped government of good governance , wrongdoers have found this  government too a refuge for culprits who are multiplying, while also wrongdoers in the three forces are being shamelessly and brazenly given  promotions . What is most reprehensible and  surprising is  that all these wrongs  and blunders  are being committed within the defense ministry directly under president Maithripala , the head of the government of good governance.

Even when all were  opposed to it  , president Maithripala deemed it right to appoint to the post of Army commander  an individual  who gave false evidence in the barbarically created  military court against General Fonseka  ; the ex army commander Daya Ratnayake and ex chief of staff Jagath Jayasuriya who were tainted with corruption and war crime charges  too were appointed as foreign envoys after their retirement by president Mathripala ; and  even when there were copious , cogent and clear evidence to substantiate the charges of monumental corruption leveled against Gagan Bulathsinghala , the latter was appointed as the air force commander.

It is well to recall Maithripala Sirisena categorically stated after going on pension , he will call it quits and take to  ‘viridhu’ (psalms) recitation, and will  not contest to be elected  as president. Yet it was the  people forming the opposition of the country  who toiled  casting aside the racial differences and party hues , to  put him on the pedestal and make him the president ,The people did all this not for nothing- it was to throw out the Rajapakses who by that time made corruption, violence and frauds a way of life , and introduce an absolutely  violence free , corruption free and malpractice free society.

Maithripala  always said , he is a servant of the public. In that case it his duty to serve the public duly and fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people who propelled him to power. Hence , the duty of eradicating corruption and malpractices, getting rid of the corrupt officials and investigating the culprits , crooks and the corrupt under his Institutions is his and his alone , and  none else’s.

Based on reports reaching Lanka e news, it is a matter for deep regret that at the recent security council meeting , President Maithripala had told the air force commander Gagan Bulathsinghala ,most known  for his corrupt activities to probe who gave all the information about  Gagan’s rackets and corrupt activities to Lanka e news. Sadly , this is exactly what the Rajapakses too did.

When we were fearlessly and forthrightly exposing the corruption , crimes , and those responsible for them , what the Rajapakses did was, instead of conducting investigations against them, they hounded us out for victimization , and went even as  far as to  ban us.

Be that as it may, the  public are watching most intently , what action the president as the defense minister  is going to take against Saman Nishantha Dissanayake about whose unlawful activities  we have revealed hereinabove in our today’s columns . 

---------------------------
by     (2015-06-25 19:45:18)

Recommendations of ‘Welikada riot’ probe committee

June 25, 2015

The Committee of Inquiry appointed to look into the 2012 Welikada Prison riot has recommended the payment of compensation to the families of the deceased persons and those who were injured in the incident, the Justice Ministry said.

“Compensation will be paid only for the people who did not take part in violent activities,” it said in a statement.

The three-member committee, chaired by retired High Court Judge Wimal Nambuwasam, was appointed by Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa to investigate the clashes which broke out on November 09, 2012.

At least 27 inmates died and several others were injured in clashes between inmates and guards. Several guards and STF officers were also injured during the clash which resulted in substantial damages to prison properties.

The committee had recently handed over its report to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The recommendations of the C.I.P.I suggest that steps be taken to initiate “fresh criminal investigations into the matters that have not been taken into consideration with a special focus on alleged violations corresponding to torture and matters that constitutes an offence under S.162 of the Penal Code (offence in relation to conduct of a Public Servant).”

The C.I.P.I was of the view that criminal investigations recommended should be conducted by a special team of investigators under the direct command of the IGP.

It had also suggested steps be taken to review unreasonable sentences imposed on the inmates relating to the incident with the view of granting them redress.

“C.I.P.I is of the view that inmates alone cannot be held responsible for the commission of mischief to Prisons properly.”

It also calls for measures to ensure protection of witnesses who appeared before the C.I.P.I.
“Some Prison Officers who appeared before the Committee voiced their concern in relation to fear and apprehension since some of the comments are disclosures made against their senior officers,” it said.

C.I.P.I is of the view that arduous efforts by all officers must be recognized and duly rewarded in the form of monetary rewards as considered appropriate by Prison authorities as “some officers have contributed courageously under trying circumstances.”

The committee also recommends that the issue of prison overcrowding be addressed.

“C.I.P.I is of the view that the overcrowding of Prisons poses a serious problem which is being grappled with by prison staff who are further constrained by the lack of an adequate number of prison staff in proportion to the number of inmates within the prison.”

Further, C.I.P.I is of the view that inmates be separated according to the gravity of the crimes alleged to have been committed in order to prevent the negative influence of convicts over others.

It also recommends establish more correctional centres in terms of Community Based Corrections Act, No 46 of 1999.

The recommendations suggest that steps be taken to improve prison infrastructure and facilities as a priority.

“C.I.P.I is of the view that improvements for better living conditions in the prisons is necessary for betterment and requests the Government to consider this as a matter of priority and ensure the taking of appropriate measures to develop the infrastructure of Prisons facilities.”

It also proposes to relocate armouries so that such places are not accessible to inmates. “C.I.P.I recommends that the armoury be located in a secured, separate area that is not easily accessible by inmates and further recommends for these armouries to be in charge of a trained armourer with the direct responsibility and accountability to be vested with the Superintendent of the Prison facilities.”

C.I.P.I is also of the view that no Prison staff should carry a weapon as a “decoration” but as a means necessary for a designated purpose, meaning as defined under the provisions of the Prison’s Ordinance.

It also recommends the withdrawal of T56 weapons from usage by Prison staff and the issuance of small arms, repeater shotguns and Tasers, designed to inflict pain rather than injury.

Furthermore, it is recommended jammers’ should be introduced to prevent inmates from utilizing mobile phones to establish contact with the outside world and also the issuance of metal detectors to improve the search methods to prevent the illegal smuggling of mobile phones, sim cards and other unauthorized objects in to the Prison facilities.

The committee further proposes the relocating of prison complexes to less populated area.

“C.I.P.I notes that given the growing populace of civilian community it is an urgent priority to relocate the Prison complexes to a less populated area within an accessible short distance from Colombo to minimize logistical hardships and practical difficulties.”

Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapaksa has emphasized that special attention will be directed to the recommendations of the committee and that the ministry proceed with necessary action.   

Read Full Report Below:
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Thushara, Banda of ‘Mawbima’ take Alles to task!

Thursday, 25 June 2015
Thushara Gunaratne, managing editor, and Manel Dharmakeerthi alias Banda, advertising and marketing manager, of the now fast sinking ‘Mawbima’ newspaper, owned by businessman MP Tiran Alles, has taken their boss to task Last Sunday at Gymkhana Club in Colombo while having drinks with a group of friends. Partaing of the bites being brought by Gunaratne’s brother, who is a cook at the club, the duo explained in detail the crisis faced by the newspaper. Those who were there say that Tiran was at the receiving end more than what the bites had to offer.

According to them, ‘Mawbima’ is obtaining on credit the newsreel and ink needed to print the newspaper, even that is at the last moment of printing. Tiran’s all businesses are going downhill after his finance director Dushantha Basnayake left him. Dharmakeerthi is angry that he was not appointed to the marketing director position vacated by Saranga Wijeratne. “Without remaining there any longer, it is better to go to Australia and clean toilets,” he said again and again with a dejected tone.

Gunaratne has asked Alles that he be relieved of the responsibilities as a member of the director board of his businesses. Gunaratne has told everyone his reasons for the decision. By now, members of the ‘Mawbima’ editorial are resigning by the week. Last few weeks saw the resignations of Gunasiri Silva and Shalika Wimalasena. So did general manager Vidanapathirana, Serasinghe and Gayan. In order to avoid further trouble, Alles has started giving promotions, which were not there for the past four years. Accordingly,  Nandana of distribution division and Athula of production division have been promoted general managers. By now, the Commercial Bank and the Bank of Ceylon have stopped granting overdrafts for ‘Mawbima.’

The newspaper’s earnings, which stood at more than Rs. 10 million during the previous regime, have now come down to Rs. 04 m.

On the advice of astrologers, Alles has changed the name of his other business, CBE, to Apogee. His Chatz super restaurant and Head Master Saloon at Horton Place are on the verge of collapse, said Gunaratne and Dharmakeerthi. “We have to toil hard in order for him to sleep with women and to build palaces for his children. When everything is in ruin, we lose our personal properties too, due to directors’ liabilities. Therefore, we should get away as soon as possible.”

Upon inquiry, they said that Alles’ businesses have collapsed due to his having built palatial houses with 10 and nine rooms each for his son Ramantha and the daughter, and his generous spending on his girlfriends. Gunaratne and Dharmakeerthi said that ‘Mawbima’ will definitely face closure before the end of this year, and that ‘Ceylon Today’ has already been closed down.

Islamic State attacks Syrian army and Kurds in twin assault

BEIRUT | BY TOM PERRY AND SYLVIA WESTALL-Thu Jun 25, 2015

Islamic State fighters have launched simultaneous attacks against Syrian government and Kurdish militia forces, moving back onto the offensive after losing ground in recent days to Kurdish-led forces near the capital of their "caliphate".

Islamic State Attacks Syrian Army and Kurds in Twin Assault by Thavam Ratna

ISIS Promises Sex Slaves As Prize For Those Who Memorise The Quran

Sounak Mukhopadhyay-June 25, 2015

Islamic State militants have decided to organize a Quran memorization contest during Ramadan, the holy month in Islam. The reward for contest winners will be sex slaves.

Women as prizes?

The Da'wa and Mosques Department in Al-Baraka province in Syria will use women as prizes. The practice of giving away humans as prizes is called "sibya". The contest was announced at the start of the Islamic holy month on June 19. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported in 2014 that 300 Yazidi girls had been captured in Iraq. The U.K.-based monitoring group said that the girls had been sold to ISIS militants in Syria for $1,000.

Chapters chosen are the "most warlike passages" in the Quran

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The Quran chapters chosen for the ISIS contest are believed to be the most warlike passages in the entire book. Militants believe that Ramadan is the ideal time for religious extremism. The Clarion Project has translated the advertisement of the contest that asks ISIS “soldiers” to take part in it. The Suras in the contests include Surat Mohammad, Surat al-Tawba, Surat al-Fath and Surat al-Anfal.

Wait. Osama has his own mosque?

Interested candidates are asked to contact the imams of four mosques for registration. The mosques are the Mosque of Abu Musab el-Zarqawi, the Mosque of Osama Bin Laden, the Mosque of Abu Bakr el-Sadiq and the Mosque of el-Taqwa. The prizes of the contest will be awarded on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. A slave girl will be awarded to each of the first three winners. Those in fourth to 10th place will be awarded cash prizes. The holder of the fourth position will be awarded $462 (100,000 Syrian lira).

According to the Clarion Project's national security analyst Ryan Mauro, ISIS wants to portray that it follows the true form of Islam. "The contest and its underlying competition demonstrate that fighters are studying the Koran, and that ISIS is not affected by international condemnation," Fox News quoted Mauro as saying. "By showcasing its slavery, ISIS is boasting that it practices Islam in its most literal interpretation, doesn't capitulate to public opinion and rejects modern interpretations."

Muslims are strongly encouraged to read the Quran during the month of Ramadan. According to Islamic beliefs, Prophet Mohammad received the holy book during this month.

Originally published in the Business Insider

How Russia Could Make or Break the Iran Deal

Washington wants to make sure the world will reimpose sanctions the second Tehran violates the terms of its agreement. But will Moscow surrender its treasured U.N. veto?

BY COLUM LYNCH, JOHN HUDSON-JUNE 24, 2015

There are few things in international diplomacy that Russia values more than its U.N. Security Council veto. It has wielded it to limit Western action from Georgia to Syria to Ukraine. But the success of the historic nuclear talks with Iran may hinge on Moscow’s willingness to voluntarily yield that power.

How Russia Could Make or Break the Iran Deal by Thavam Ratna

Burma’s parliament blocks changes to constitution

Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Pic: AP.

By AP News Jun 25, 2015

YANGON, Burma (AP) — Burma’s parliament has voted against proposed constitutional amendments, ensuring that the military’s veto power remains intact and that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi cannot become president in an election this year.

The legislature ended a 3-day debate Thursday on proposed changes to the 2008 constitution.

The constitution bars Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, from seeking the presidency in Burma (Myanmar) and gives the military an effective veto over constitutional amendments. Changes to both those clauses were rejected Thursday.

Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy is expected to see heavy gains against the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party in the polls. The NLD swept the last free general election in 1990 but the then-ruling military junta ignored the results and kept Suu Kyi under house arrest for years.