Politics

By Ranil Senanayake –July 25, 2015 

Ranil Senanayake

Current politics has degraded to a race to get control of the state’s resources in order to implement ‘development’ projects that line our path to ‘progress’ towards some unknown goal. No one proposes any clear path for the future well-being of the nation, only calls for the public to support their particular push for ‘development’ projects. This is then measured as progress. As Ananda Coomaraswamy notes ‘We who call art significant, not knowing of what, are also proud to progress, not knowing wither’. It seems we have not changed much since that time, merely continuing creating ‘development processes, as long as there are loans or money available. Often, many ‘development processes’ are not progressive but retrogressive, as seen in the plans for investment in coal as an energy source.

It is common knowledge that burning coal is a heath hazard. Innumerable studies have demonstrated the massive negative impact on human health and on cultural artifacts through the burning of coal, but the political system seems totally ignorant of such knowledge. This ignorance enables them justify the large losses in health to be suffered by the population. It is such ignorance that allows ‘agreements’ and contracts have greater value than the health and well being of the citizens of this nation. As an example, consider the debacle of the ‘Port City.’ A project implemented without any consideration of the reduced air quality of Colombo city, without informing the citizens of the price they will have to pay, is presumed valid because, the political powers subverted the laws of the land to approve it.

The current global development agenda is in many ways, anti-human. It seeks the development of an economic and monetary system its primary goal. The ‘Development of the Economy’, has become a mantra that will allow the discounting of human life. The Current Pope is one of the very few world leaders to speak directly to the problem; he has spoken out against the “idolatrous” capitalist economic models that “sacrifice human lives on the altar of money”. Will our current political contenders ever recognize the danger looming before us, move away from the current model and opt for a different vision of what development should mean? Can our religious leaders understand what the Pope is telling us?Read More

UPFA ready to face legal challenge

IRC on UPFA Gampaha list: EC won’t intervene 

By Shamindra Ferdinando-July 25, 2015, 8:21 am

Western Province Chief Minister and Gampaha District UPFA candidate Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday told The Island that inclusion of an IRC (Island Re-convicted Criminal) in the Gampaha District UPFA nominations list wouldn’t affect the entire list.

Public Order and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga recently declared that the UNP would soon move court against the UPFA Gampaha List over the inclusion of Thilak Waragoda of Kelaniya in it.

Amaratunga asserted that the list should be nullified due to the inclusion of an IRC.

Ranatunga insisted that the SLFP-led UPFA campaign was in full swing in the Gampaha District in spite of what he called Minister Amaratunga’s antics.

Waragoda has been convicted thrice in 2003, 2004 and 2006 over a case of forgery and two cases of financial fraud. However, the Court of Appeal directed he be excluded from the IRC list in 2012. But, Waragoda had been re-included after he was found guilty of financial fraud.

A senior official of the Election Secretariat, Rajagiriya yesterday told The Island that it wasn’t a matter for the ES to intervene. The UNP would have to move the court if it was serious about challenging the inclusion of an IRC. According to him, it could be challenged in court in terms of section 89,90 and 91 of the Constitution, though the Parliamentary Election Act of 1981 was silent on this particular issue.

Asked whether the UPFA had obtained legal opinion in this regard, Ranatunga said that the coalition was confident of its position. Ranatunga insisted that in case the UNP moved court, only the person whom Amaratunga called IRC might be affected. The SLFPer reassured the Gampaha District electorate that there was absolutely no issue regarding the validity of the nominations list.

Ranatunga said that the UPFA was eying more than 10 out of 18 seats in the Gampaha electoral District. At the last parliamentary election in April 2010, the UPFA secured 12 seats.

The CM said: "At the January 8, 2015, presidential election, the UPFA had lost the district by a mere 4,000 votes due to UNP, JVP, Field Marshal Fonseka’s Democratic Party as well as some left elements joining hands. But, a split in the anti-UPFA vote due to the JVP as well as the Democratic Party contesting separately would pave the for us to secure the district comfortably. "Thereby, we can obtain the bonus seat from Gampaha."

Responding to another query, Ranatunga asserted that with the post-presidential polls realignment of political parties, the UPFA was confident of winning at least 14 out of 22 electoral districts. According to him, the UPFA was seeking to more than 117 seats in the next Parliament.

Ranatunga said that a spate of allegations had been levelled against members of the two major political parties in the fray. Although Minister Amaratunga acted as if he were paragon of virtue, the electorate was aware of the various accusations made against him over the past three decades, Ranatunga said. The CM asserted that the UNP was struggling for want of a cohesive plan to address the problems the people were faced with. Amaratunga had realised that the UNP was going to lose Gampaha, and was, therefore, engaged in a mudslinging campaign, he added.

August General Elections: An opportunity to fortify notable democratic gains made since January 2015

The following statement issued by the Australian Advocacy for Good Governance in Sri Lanka Inc.

( July 25, 2015, Melbourne, Sri Lanka Guardian) In less than a month, the struggle for democracy and good governance in Sri Lanka will face its major test. Voters will be electing their representatives for the Parliament where the law makers will determine the fate of the country for the next five years. And all expectations are that a ‘National Government’ will be formed and tasked with the making of a ‘3rd Republican Constitution’ to steer the war-battered multi-ethnic, multi-religious country to a reconciled and prosperous nation. The question is will the people endure a paradigm shift from the past, or let the bitter past overtake and end that journey of hope abruptly.

When President Sirisena was sworn in on January 9th, the journey of ‘Good Governance’ began with earnest: The autocratic rule of the previous regime had come to an end. A new Chief Justice was sworn in and confidence in the judiciary was restored. Militarisation of civil administration has ended. Self-exiled journalists and human rights activists were invited to return. Freedom of expression restored and white-van abductions have halted. Over the ensuing weeks and months, the fear psychosis dissipated, cost of living was reduced by a reasonable measure, and corruption enquiries and anti-corruption measures commenced. Moreover, political appointments to overseas missions had been withdrawn, relations with NPC and EPC have improved, and most importantly international relations with key countries are on the mend.

But these important foundations made for the ambitious journey ahead are being shaken by the attempts of former President Rajapakse and his cohorts for a political come back. While widespread allegations of corruption, malpractices and abuse of power made against them are awaiting investigations, efforts are being made to whip up hysterical nationalism in order to regain power unashamedly. Needless to say that these are last-ditch attempts to cover-up the cardinal sins of ‘Mahinda Chinthanaya’ and its executors. To let them go scot-free is no option.

All parliamentarians are elected by the people, for the people. No politician should take it for granted that he or she should be re-elected, or feel entitled to lead a government. Voters on the other hand, should hold them accountable, ask them how they spent the political capital you invested in them, and what return you and the country will reap if they were to be re-elected. No one should imprison themselves to a party or to the past. Rather, weigh up the candidates, note any emerging positive changes, look to the future and vote with their conscience.

It is important to identify those who use the improved political climate for their own personal aggrandizement and prosperity. Don’t let them disdain the voters that their money could buy. Above all, responsible voters will reject those who show scant regard to the will and aspirations of the people.
With the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the country is better placed to eliminate the culture of impunity and any tendency for returning to autocratic rule. But the journey for democracy and good governance will not be complete without reaching out to the Tamil political leaders to equitably resolve the national question, or by placing obstacles to reconciliation, such as denying internationally assisted enquiries into alleged war crimes.

Early in the year, Pope Francis, who visited Sri Lanka at the invitation of now defeated President Rajapakse, had a message of hope for them: “May all people here find inspiration and strength to build a future of reconciliation, justice and peace for all the children of this beloved land”. The Sri Lankan people, who made the rainbow revolution only a few days before his visit, are capable of completing the difficult journey for good governance they themselves began. They need to stay wide awake until August 17th, believing again in people power, to make an important transition once more.

Only a collective political will for democratisation, rule of law, respect for human rights and inclusive governance will reap sustainable peace, prosperity and international recognition.

Gota the ‘killer shark’ spent Rs. 230 million of State funds for fish tank of sharks ! -Shocking exposure by Ravi

(Lanka-e-News- 25.July.2015, 2.40 PM)    Rs. 230 million of government funds was spent to construct a fish tank at the official residence of ex defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse to breed killer  sharks, minister of finance Ravi Karunanayake of the government of good governance made this shocking revelation when addressing a media briefing yesterday.(24)

In addition , during the same Rajapakse regime , three Lamborghini motor cars were imported evading payment of due governmnet  taxes . After the new government came into power , attempts were made to export them on the sly, but after the cat was out of the bag , the government was able to collect  Rs.278 million from the funds of their bank accounts that were held as security .

Ravi Karunanayake went on to say , though Shiranthee Rajapakse (wife of ex president) denies her involvement in frauds via her bank account, he has in his possession letters sent by Shiranthee unconscionably requesting not to give Rs. 150 million towards cancer patient machines , and to credit to Siriliya account. Karunanayake  showed those letters to the media.

Already there is an on going special investigation into the Sirilya fund at the Financial special crime division.

Ravi Karunanayake therefore appealed to the people to vote and elect a government which would have  a majority so that these munumental corruption , fraudulent  and criminal activities can be duly investigated without obstruction ,and all the culprits irrespective of their status and ranks can be brought to book , and the colossal amounts of public monies ruthlessly swindled can be recovered on behalf of the people. 

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by     (2015-07-25 09:47:32)

Applying the racism paradigm – 3

By Izeth Hussain-July 24, 2015, 8:19 pm 

In the first paragraph of the first part of this article I stated that I had two purposes in mind, the first of which was to establish that the Tamil ethnic problem is best understood, and therefore best handled, in terms of a paradigm of racism. I come now to my second purpose, which is to show that the prolongation of the ethnic problem without a political solution is due not just to Sinhalese racism but also Tamil racism, which I would show is even worse than Sinhalese racism. But first I must make a clarification. Up to mow I have applied the racism paradigm only to the present phase of the ethnic problem in which the Tamils want very extensive devolution because they have the racist conviction that the Sinhalese will never give them fair and equal treatment on a permanent basis, and the Sinhalese will not give anything more than a modest measure of devolution because they have the racist conviction that the Tamils will never give up the quest for Eelam. I have not applied the racism paradigm to the earlier phases of the ethnic problem. That will take up much space, and besides the reader can do that for himself without much difficulty. Where I stand is indicated by the following sentence from the first part of this article: "The state in Sri Lanka has been racist and has indisputably promoted the ethnic problem with stupendous stupidity".

I come now to the racism that contributed to the prolongation of the war. The fact that I want to emphasize is that the Tamil racist contribution to that end was far greater than the Sinhalese one. We tend to think that the real Sinhalese accommodativeness to the Tamils began with the ascendency of Chandrika Kumaratunga in 1994, and people have in mind particularly her reported spectacular offer to put the entire North under the lordship of Prabhakaran for ten years. Actually the accommodativeness of Premadasa towards the LTTE was equally spectacular. He gave weapons to the LTTE to fight the IPKF troops, he ordered the surrender of 600 policemen who were instantly butchered by the LTTE and – most spectacular of all – he allowed the LTTE to reoccupy locations vacated by the IPKF troops. As for trying to reach a political solution, this is what K.M. de Silva says in his book Sri Lanka and the Defeat of the LTTE: "In July 1990 just when the LTTE seemed on the verge of winning at the bargaining table what it had not been able to win on the battle-field, the hostilities between it and the Sri Lankan Government were renewed. The LTTE broke the ceasefire pact ….."

There can be no doubt whatever that President CBK was deeply committed to bringing about a political solution. She couldn’t succeed, partly because she was not the kind of person to push things through to a conclusion with grim dogged determination. There is also the fact that in 2000 Karu Jayasuriya of the UNP tore up the draft Constitution in Parliament. That was in accord with a hallowed tradition according to which the Opposition would always sabotage any attempt by the Government towards serious accommodation with the Tamils. All that may be true. But it is also true that there was nothing to show that the LTTE was in earnest about a political solution. If it had been, that could have served as a catalyst towards a political solution.

The next phase was the peace initiative backed by Norway and other powers. As I declared in my writings of that time I saw all that as farce. Could there be anything more farcical than Balasingham’s insistence that existential problems be solved before addressing matters of substance for a political solution? Has there ever been any liberation movement that has insisted on that priority? It can be argued that through the CFA and PTOMS the Sinhalese side was bending over backwards to be accommodative to the LTTE. The record suggests that the LTTE observed the ceasefire only to recoup before fighting again. It is significant that the hardliner Rajapaksa continued with the CFA and engaged in full-scale war only after Maavil Aru which left absolutely no alternative to war. It may be that both sides were resistant to a political solution but the evidence suggests that the LTTE was far more resistant. Anyway the resistance on both sides can best be explained in terms of the racism paradigm: the LTTE could not believe that the Sinhalese would ever give fair and equal treatment on a permanent basis; the Sinhalese could not believe that the LTTE would ever give up the quest for Eelam. The essentializing habit of mind that is at the core of racism prevented a solution during that phase of the ethnic problem and it is continuing and it is continuing to do so in the present phase as well.

What of the future? Obviously we must bring about an understanding of the racism paradigm and how it applies to our ethnic problems, both the Tamil and the Muslim ones, so that we can cope with them more effectively than in the past. In addition, it seems to me crucially important to bring about recognition of a fact that has hitherto been unrecognized or inadequately recognized: Tamil racism is much worse than Sinhalese racism. As I have stated earlier this is not an impressionistic evaluation but a conclusion based on solid empirical data. The data consists of exchanges between me and Tamils over my articles which have appeared in the Colombo Telegraph. I have already covered this matter in my three-part article on Tamil lunatic fringe anti-Muslim racism. I will therefore here focus on just one point, a tellingly decisive point. I have used the phrase "hysterical hatred and mad dog rage" to characterize the Tamil attacks on me. The surprising, very surprising, fact is that there is not one, literally not even one Sinhalese attack on me to which that characterization can apply. Certainly there have been many Sinhalese anti-Muslim racist attacks in the CT, but unlike the Tamil attacks they have not focused on me personally. Those facts, in my view, point to the Tamils being much more racist than the Sinhalese.

The other fact on the empirical level that I have in mind as pointing to intense Tamil racism is the eviction of 80,000 Muslims from the north in 1990, the only act of ethnic cleansing during the entirety of the thirty-year war. The very short notice and the ruthless despoliation of the victims makes it rank with the more horrible acts of racist savagery. It is true that it was preceded by acts of anti-Tamil savagery in the East by Muslim Homeguards who acted together with the STF. But we cannot condone the notion of collective guilt, and besides the scale of the horrors perpetrated in the North was far greater. The LTTE is now resurgent and is reportedly flush with funds. It should be requested to pay compensation to the Muslim victims. It will probably refuse because it has not been endowed with much of a moral sense. In that case there should be an international campaign to compel it to pay compensation.

We must hope that the international community will recognize that the Tamil ethnic problem has two dimensions, Sinhalese racism and also Tamil racism which could be even worse than Sinhalese racism. The international community can help or hinder over the ethnic problem. Up to now it has more hindered than helped, the main reason for which was an over-indulgent attitude towards the Tamils seen as victims. It was that over-indulgent attitude that contributed to the Tamils missing every opportunity to reach a reasonable solution between 1990 and 2006. We must hope that now at least the international community will influence the Tamils against making inordinate demands. This applies particularly to India. Internally my formula for a solution of the ethnic problem is 13A minus plus, meaning 13A without police and land powers, plus a full-fledged democracy. Much can be done for the Tamils just with 13A minus. Consider the implications of the diversion of Mahaweli waters to the North, which according to Dr Rajasingham Nagendra can be easily accomplished. I would now suggest that measures to combat racism be built into the process of moving towards a full-fledged democracy.

izethhussain@gmail.com

Governing Under Siege: Dangers Of Perpetuating Partisanship

By Rajan Hoole –July 25, 2015

Dr. Rajan Hoole

Law Enforcement and the Security Services: Politicisation and Demoralisation – 23

In perpetuating the system through giving unjustified promotions to its own favourites, the PA government was creating more problems for itself than it was solving. By so doing, it made a significant section of the security services secretly hostile to it and biding their time. Some of this came into the open in the weeks between the military setback in November 1999 and the presidential election of 21st December 1999.

This highlighted the dangers to a country without a consensus, no stable principles or stable goals. Politicians who unleash communal violence on the Tamils one day, could wax eloquently as peace makers handing over the Tamils to a fascist group another day, and then again thrash the Tamils in the name of fighting terrorism and uniting the nation. This happened in 1990 and we came close to a repeat in 1999. Where does such opportunism leave the Army and the ordinary soldier?

In a situation where the army leadership had been compromised, the LTTE’s attempt to create instability by using a suicide bomber to assassinate President Chandrika Kumaratunga showed how vulnerable the State was. Kumaratunga survived the assassination attempt on 18.12.99. However half an hour earlier another suicide bomber succeeded in assassinating Major General Lucky Algama, a prospective defence figure in a future UNP government. Despite apparently having reached an understanding with the UNP leadership and lulling them into complacency, the LTTE was not taking chances.Read More

Matale mass grave: JVP to appeal to higher court

2015-07-25
With the Matale Magistrate observing that the Matale mass grave case could not be pursued further as a criminal case, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday said it would appeal against it in a higher court. 

The JVP pursued legal action on the incident where human skeletal remains were found within the premises of the Matale hospital. The JVP believed the remains were those of its members killed during the 1988/89 insurrection. 

The magistrate's observation that a criminal case could not be pursued was based on forensic analysis done in the US for radiocarbon dating, which confirmed that the skeletal remains dated back 50 years. 

A report was obtained from Beta Analytics of Miami, Florida in the USA, for radiocarbon dating of the skeletal remains. 

However JVP stalwart Sunil Watagala told Daily Mirror that his party would seek further legal action by appealing against the case in a higher court. 

Several human skeletons were unearthed on November 26, 2012, during excavations within the Matale General Hospital premises. Up to February 12, 2013, about 155 human skeletons had been unearthed. (Kelum Bandara) - See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/80919/matale-mass-grave-jvp-to-appeal-to-higher-court#sthash.OFkF1Fuz.dpuf

Anura Yapa and Susil Prem Jayanth are the 

two main culprits after Mahinda – Chandrika

 

Saturday, 25 July 2015

“Anura Yapa and Susil Prem Jayanth who loves Mahinda Rajapaksa so much is none other than anything but to hide their corruption. These two pro Rajapaksa henchmen’s were not involved in any corruption during my tenure. Mahinda deliberately gave them the petroleum ministry and made them to rob and blackmail the two with the evidence in hand. Mahinda gave the two secretary post to Anura Yapa and to

Susil Premjayanth is to make them dance according to this tune. All people who stay around Rajapaksa is not because they like him but in fear of exposing their corruption file. Mahinda Rajapaksa governed the country in such a way” said the former president Candrika Bandarayake Kumarathunga. She told this when she brief about the current political situation about Sri Lanka when she met few of her close associates who came to meet her in London.

“In a day or two I will get back to Sri Lanka and tell my political stance. Whoever says anything I will support the group who came out rejecting Rajapaksa last November. Sometimes I have to get in to the UNP platform. I am getting on to the UNP platform not to betray the party but to save the people who came and joined us. Similar to Maithri I also like to form a national government” stressed Chandrika Kumarathunga to her close associates.

Chandrika who departed yesterday 24th from London from Emirated airline is scheduled to arrive today 25th in Sri Lanka. As promised she will give a special announcement in the coming few days.

The White Van Saga 

July 24, 2015, 8:16 pm

The focus has shifted from Medamulana to Mirihana.

It was expected that Kurunegala, and the many other important towns in that district, would draw the larger interest with the parachute leap of Mahinda Rajapaksa from Hambantota to Kurunegala, in the search for an easier path to be prime minister.

But Mirihana, where he mostly lives in today, just as his brother Gotabaya, has become the focus of the UPFA campaign. Guess why?

It is the White Van Saga.

The White Van has been part of the political scene in this country for quite some time, from before the rise of the Rajapaksa family to seats of power and glory. White Vans have been a major threat to journalists and many others who have dared raise their voices against the powers that be, before and during the Rajapaksa Era.

How can a single white van be the stuff of political interest in the midst of a general election campaign, where all analysts agree there is a tough fight between the two main contenders for a majority of seats in parliament; and will most likely decide on who the next prime minister would be, especially when there are so many white vans on the roads every day?

White vans may not have votes; the deciding factor in an election. But, they have been the stuff of political power, and more importantly, political crime, for quite some time. They have thus earned a special place in the thinking of the people, about the dastardly acts of politicians in power.

This is not a case of the usual white van that is used by those in power to abduct a person or persons opposed to them, have them assaulted and dumped in a distant place, or even have them killed or ensure that they go missing. This seems to be a unique white van of reconciliation. It even traces the origins of its ownership to the LTTE and the final days of the fight to defeat those ruthless terrorists. It is a white van with a history – seized from the LTTE by the military and being in the custody of the security authorities since then.

So how come such a vehicle is spotted in suspicious circumstances at Mirihana – the new power center of UPFA politics? Well, it had the usual signs of a white van engaged in crooked business –it had false number plates, and unregistered numbers at that. Much more, it had tinted glasses and curtains within, too.

What is stranger is that it was carrying persons from the armed forces. Now, what is the need for armed forces, even when in civvies, to use vehicles with no registration and or with false garage number plates? This cannot be part of the battle against the LTTE – because the LTTE was defeated by the same armed forces, which took over the vehicle, possibly in 2009.

And what was it carrying? An exercise bicycle: Surely there is no need for such secrecy involving false number plates to carry an exercise bicycle, even for a friend of a top name in the army, as it now turns out to be...Quite a puzzle indeed!

And what else did it have? Yes, it did have a military issue revolver…hmmm…quite serious…not a bottle of water as some military person said when a search found an unauthorized revolver on his person, in a area closer to Medamulana not so long ago. But that is also resolved.

The military personnel were carrying the revolver for their boss, a very senior officer in the army, who had asked them to do so. Case on revolver closed? Or is it?

But the white van drama has now moved on to the political stage. The UPFA is screaming at the highest decibels of political noise that this white van was a threat to its Campaign Coordinator, former and defeated president Mahinda Rajapaksa, and to his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was Secretary of the Defence Ministry, when this van was taken over by the armed forces.

It certainly is a puzzle within puzzles. With all this come the allegations of the rise of the LTTE, and even so-called connections to LTTE cadres recently arrested in Tamil Nadu with cyanide capsules, and weapons.

The UPFA throws all of this at the government, and the forces of the UNP-led alliance, receiving the silent support of President Sirisena, as part of the plot to defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa’s entry to parliament or to the office of Prime Minister. There seems to be a note of desperation when clutching at such white vehicular straws for success. Of course, the other side promises to give more facts as time passes by. Wait and see is the name of this game.

Yet, there is one matter that has been forgotten; it is to congratulate the Police … the Mirhana Police in particular… for having seized this white van with false number plates, and exposing what appears to be a major political hoax that is part of huge political campaigning today.

This appears to be the first time that the Police in his country actually apprehended a white van with false number plates, carrying military personnel in civvies, and also carrying a revolver, with high military ownership, together with an exercise bicycle. Such stopping of white vans, under suspicious circumstances never took place under the regime that is seeking a return to the powers of parliament that it made a mockery of for so long. That is more the substance of this saga of political chicanery, than of political conspiracy.

Congrats again to the Mirihana Police for that chase and catch, establishing a new record in white van politics in the country.

Sri Lanka Muslims condemn ISIS

25/07/2015

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) together with other Muslim organisations yesterday strongly condemned those backing the ISIS or any other extremist organisation.

“We do not condone any person or organisation that engages in extremism in any form,” ACJU President Mufthi M. I. M. Rizwie said.

He said an awareness campaign would be launched today and all Sri Lankan mosques would address the issue of terrorism at the Jumma Prayers.

The ACJU President said: “We strongly call upon the government to take action against any individual involved in any form of extremism. We also offer our fullest support and co-operation to all government agencies to identify such anti-social and criminal elements in order to eliminate this menace from our motherland.”

Responding to questions, he said there was a lacuna in law as regards religious issues. He stressed that on their part they would go all out to raise public awareness of the danger of terrorism and extremism.

He requested the media to act responsibly. “We urge them to refrain from sensationalizing such issues and help promote peaceful co-existence among all communities in Sri Lanka,” Mufthi Rizwie.

“We Muslims have over the centuries, demonstrated our patriotism and loyalty to Sri Lanka. We affirm that we will not act in any manner that is detrimental to our Motherland.”

Number of representatives of the main Muslim Organizations in Sri Lanka were present to spell out their stance against extremism

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL), Sri Lanka Jamat e Islami (SLJI), Jama’athus Salama (MFCD), Jamiyyathus Shabab (AMYS) Al-Muslimath International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO),World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), All Ceylon YMMA Conference (YMMA) Thableegh Jama’ath. All Ceylon Thowheedh Jama’ath (ACTJ) and Colombo District Masjid Federation (CDMF) were the organizations present at yesterday’s conference.

by Ifham Nizam
IS

False accusations of ISIS infiltration into Sri Lankan Muslims

by Rifai

( July 25, 2015, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) I’m writing this in reply to an article written under the tittle, ISIS Sri Lankan connection. (24-7-15) by your special correspondent. This writer is making up forgeries and lies without any substantiated evidence about the presence of ISIS in Sri Lanka. Just because of one fanatic, this writer is making some deliberations and making up some stories to tarnish a cardinal relationship of Muslim community with other Sri Lankan communities. 

False Accusations of ISIS Infiltration Into Sri Lankan Muslims by Thavam Ratna

New Illinois law does not make BDS illegal

Israel-aligned organizations are attempting to crush boycott organizing in the US. (Stephen Melkisethian/Flickr)

Nora Barrows-Friedman Activism and BDS Beat 24 July 2015

On Thursday, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law a measure that will seek to punish international companies that boycott Israel.

The law, SB 1761, was approved by the state legislature earlier this year.

In a press release, attorneys with Palestine Legal say that the new law “will set up a blacklist of companies that boycott Israel and require the state’s pension funds to divest from those companies. The law specifies that its intent is to only punish companies that are not based in the United States.”

The law defines a “boycott” of “Israel” as “engaging in actions that are politically motivated and are intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or otherwise limit commercial relations with the State of Israel or companies based in the State of Israel or in territories controlled by the State of Israel.”

This means that the law will punish international companies that boycott goods from Israeli settlements in occupied territories including the West Bank and Syria’s Golan Heights that are considered illegal under international law even by longstanding US policy.

Last month, US President Barack Obama signed into law an anti-BDS provision to much fanfare from anti-Palestinian organizations. As Josh Ruebner, policy director of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, noted, the Obama administration signaled that it would not try to enforce a provision in the federal trade legislation that would make it a US objective to fight boycotts even of settlement businesses.

Boycott is a constitutional right

Though it says the Illinois law is “troubling,” Palestine Legal points out, importantly, that it does not make Israel boycott activism, advocacy or engagement illegal.

Rahul Saksena, staff attorney with Palestine Legal, told The Electronic Intifada today that “boycotting Israel is a constitutionally protected right that cannot be taken away by state law.”

“While we should oppose any government action against BDS [the Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions movement], we want to emphasize that the new Illinois law does not prohibit anyone, including students, from boycotting Israel or advocating for BDS,” Saksena said.

The US Campaign’s Ruebner had also pointed out regarding the federal law that “nothing in any congressional anti-BDS initiative does or could restrict our First Amendment-protected right to engage in BDS speech and advocacy.”

Organizing effort

Palestine Legal says that while they are concerned with the law, “it could have been much worse. An earlier iteration of SB 1761 was far more dangerous.”

The group says that the earlier version of the law “was watered down after a successful advocacy campaign by Palestine solidarity activists in Illinois, along with civil rights and civil liberties organizations. Without that organizing effort, we would have a far more troubling law,” Palestine Legal adds.

Republican Illinois congressman Peter Roskam, who has claimed that BDS is “blatant discrimination against the Jewish state,” heralded the law as a “great day for the State of Illinois and the ongoing battle against the insidious BDS campaign,” the The Times of Israel reported.

The Times of Israel added that “supporters [of the law] say that it now serves as a model for similar measures in some 20 other states.”

But as the US Campaign’s Ruebner has noted, Roskam’s own efforts to push more aggressive federal anti-BDS legislation have met with obstacles in Congress.

Palestine Legal is, meanwhile, “exploring possible legal challenges” to the newly-signed Illinois law.

“We continue to be concerned with the government’s use of financial levers to punish or dissuade certain speech, particularly speech in support of human rights, simply because the government disagrees with that speech,” the group says.

“Our local, state, and federal governments should be protecting and advancing human rights, not sanctioning companies taking a principled stance on a social justice issue.”

Obama praises Africa's prospects during Kenya 'homecoming'

SATURDAY 25 JULY 2015

US President Barack Obama says Africa is "on the move" as he makes the first presidential visit to Kenya, his father's homeland.

The US president praised the growth prospects for Africa despite its experiences of terrorism in recent years, saying that entrepreneurship offered "a positive alternative" to security threats.

"The challenges of terrorism are ones that have to be addressed, but the opportunities for growth and prosperity ... are the things that the people of Africa are most hungry for," Barack Obama said during his visit to Kenya, the first by a US president.

No single country can deal with this problemKenyan president on terrorism

He said African entrepreneurs could help counter violent ideologies and make the continent a centre for global growth, helping create opportunities in Africa that could outdo any threat from terrorism.

Kenya is the homeland of Mr Obama's father and the biggest economy in east Africa. But it has also suffered from a spate of attacks by Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabaab.

In 2013, al-Shabaab gunmen assaulted Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall, leaving at least 67 people dead.

Africa is on the moveBarack Obama

In April this year, al-Shabaab attacked a university in Kenya's north east near the Somali border, killing 148 people.

'We need to partner' 

President Uhuru Kenyatta called the United States a "very strong supporter of Kenya" and said his country needed help to tackle security threats.

"No single country can deal with this problem," he added during talks with Mr Obama. "We need to partner."

The talks at State House were attended by Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto, who is facing charges at the International Criminal Court that he fomented ethnic killings after Kenya's disputed 2007 election. He denies the charges.

Mr Kenyatta had faced similar charges, but these have since been dropped.

"Africa is on the move. Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world," Mr Obama told a conference on Saturday.

"Entrepreneurship offers a positive alternative to the ideologies of violence and division that can all too often fill the void when young people don't see a future for themselves," he added.

He said government also needed to help by establishing the rule of law and curbing corruption, mentioning two issues often cited by businesses as major obstacles to investment.

Kenya's economy is expected to grow by about 6 per cent this year.

The economy of Ethiopia, Obama's next stop, is forecast to expand by more than 10 per cent, although human rights groups say Addis Ababa's economic achievements are at the expense of free speech.