Mahinda’s racist cat jumps out of its pouch

Tuesday, 28 July 2015

Reports reaching us confims that a Lankadeepa photo journalist has been taken into custody by the security personnel of the Kurunegala district parliament contestant Mahinda Rajapaksa for taking pictures of the Buddhist singhalese flags raised during an election campaign in Yatinuwara.

The incident was published in the Lankadeepa website as below

“Well build security personnel held one of our photographer by his shoulder and took him to a group of securities and took the custody of the camera until the flags were removed from the posts. They pretended they are from the police and intimidated us not to post those pictures”

According to the constitution of Sri Lanka the left side of the national flag have the orange and green color strips representing the Tamil and the Muslim community which marks the national unity.

The so called Sinhala flags which was used for the protests few days before did not have the two color strips marking the national unit

In March there was a controversy about dropping the national flag down and raising the Sinhala flag in the Magul Maduwa at the Dalada Maligawa by an organization called “Swarna Hansa Padanama”

Futher during the protest organized when the former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was called to the Bribery and Corruption there were allegation for displaying the Sinhale flag and for misusing and distorting the national flag

Campaign of Bodu Bala
Meantime the Bodu Bala Sena is contesting the coming election in the snake symbol by the name “Bodu Jana Peramuna” (BJP). BJP say that their party would campaign to legislate to change the countrys name as “Sinhale” in future and legislate the “Sinha Kodiya” which was used before 1815 and in 1948 as the national flag.

However although Mahinda’s UPFA and the Bodu Jana Peramuna (Bodu Bala Senawa) contest this election separately it appears from these incidents that their objectives are same.

Manpower ‘contagion’ and flexibilization of labour market 

July 27, 2015, 7:32 pm

Last weekend I attended two meetings—the first is organized by the Free Trade Zone workers, the second by the office-bearers of branch unions of the CMU. The principal focus of the both meetings was manpower agencies and the labour market. The second meeting was more focused as its organisers had adopted as the theme for their event: "Is it the end of permanent employment?" In fact, I borrowed General Secretary of the CMU, Comrade Sylvester Jayakody’s apt phrase, "manpower contagion" as part of the title of this article.

I have no idea when the manpower agencies entered the Sri Lankan labour market. When the Mahaweli Development Project was underway, private agencies entered as intermediaries in bridging the demand for and supply of labour for various project sites. Individual intermediaries also facilitated the finding domestic helpers. Foreign employment agencies have proliferated since the beginning of the outflow of labour first to the countries of West Asia and later to other emerging economies. As far as I know, only very limited studies were done on the subject of the role of these intermediaries. According to the data I possess, these agencies usually charge from the organization requires labour a once-and-for-all payment. When the workers were transferred to said employer, the role of the intermediaries usually comes to an end. The responsibility of the employee would be shifted to the new employer. The manpower agencies are different as they leave the employee rather ‘undefined’, an issue to which I will turn shortly.

There is another novel element. In the past, this service of intermediaries was used only by the private sector. Today, many government and semi-government agencies also use manpower agencies in meeting labour requirements. Lake House, Sri Lanka Telecom etc have been dependent on manpower agencies to ‘recruit’ workers. National Savings Bank once hired about 500 people through manpower agencies.

Manpower agencies have been very much present in the Free Trade Zones and also in many private sector companies. Comrade Jayakody used the word ‘contagion’ primarily because of the increasing presence of the manpower agencies in the Sri Lankan labor market. The degree of extensity and velocity of the presence of manpower agencies appear to be phenomenal.

The way in which manpower agencies operate is quite simple. When a company needs additional labour, like in good old days it does not advertise calling for applications. It contacts manpower agencies some of them were set up by people with political connections. The manpower agency concerned sends a list of names to the employer company which selects some of them. These employees are neither the employee of the company nor the employee of the manpower agency. Company pays a daily wage which may be a little higher than the wages of its regular employees. In many FTZ situations, if the daily wage of the regular employee is Rs 750, manpower worker gets about 1200- 1300 and out of which about 1,000 is paid to the worker and the balance goes to the manpower agency. For the calculation of ETF and EPF, the only payment made to the worker is taken into account. These workers do not enjoy even limited rights of the regular workers. For example, they are entitled to only half a day of leave per month!

Is the manpower agency modality of labour demand and supply popular among workers? Well, ironically it is and this preference shows the fetishistic character of the commodity ‘labour’. This system provides a new kind of freedom to workers. They can work when they wish to do so; and when they prefer leisure, they can keep away. Similarly, the employers get responsibility-free labour which comes to them without any strings unlike in the past. Recruiting and sacking can be done through SMS although the ‘hire and fire’ cannot be applied in this context with rigorous meaning those words have embodied historically. Another interesting development is that some regular workers find additional employment in their ‘free time’ at different companies. Hence, we are entering into a freer labour market condition.

This is what neoliberalism and the international financial institutions have been calling for since the early 1990s. Recently, European Institutions (troika) that includes European Union, European Central bank and the International Monetary Fund demanded the left wing Syriza government take measures to liberalise the labour market, meaning hiring and firing should be made easier. This has been one of measures prescribed by the right wing economists in Sri Lanka. Their argument is that would make the labour market more rational and efficient. While the bourgeois economics called for supply-determined price in the goods market, they call for demand–determined price at the labour market. We have witnessed everywhere and everywhen, this so-called liberalization or flexibilization has led to increasing income inequalities, weakening worker organisations and poor working conditions.

The extent to which these developments have affected the human living condition is shown in a recent IMF document. Even IMF has been compelled to accept and propose that one of the solutions to increasing income and wealth inequalities is the unionisation of the workers!

I read the election manifesto of the United National Front of Good Governance (UNFGG) that proposes to promote moribund idea of social market economy. The countries that adopted SME have now abandoned it. The clearest example is Germany, which has not only abandoned social market economy, but also played a leading role in forcing Greece to adopt a policy package that runs counter to social market economy. Under social market economy, Germany adopted job and employment security making firing more difficult. However, I did not see any suggestion in the UNFGG to face this increasing manpower contagion.

It was a welcome move on the part of the trade unions and worker friendly organisations to flag this issue in the context that none of the main political parties wish to encounter it and to find a justifiable solution to it. If this issue is put on the backburner, we will find a class of ‘slaves’ in modern factories. Capitalists will not hesitate to revive archaic forms of exploitation if it helps enhance their profits.

The writer is the co-coordinator of the Marx School.

e-mail: sumane_l@yahoo.com

Hoisted distorted National Flag, MR started spreading real terrorism - Lakshman Kiriella

(Lanka-e-News-28.July.2015, 9.00PM) Von Fefler had once stated that real terrorism is communalism.  In this context Mahinda Rajapaksha and his group who boast of liberating the country from terrorism has started spreading real terrorism.  Mahinda Rajapaksha who is notorious for indulging in vituperative politics has demonstrated more than once that he does not hesitate to resort to any action to achieve his communalist ideals.  The newest incident in this regard is reported from Yatinuwara whereat a distorted national flag had been hoisted at the election rally of the UPFA.

The national flag of Sri Lanka has been designed with a far reaching vision to create a truly       Sri Lankan nation within which people of different ethnicities namely Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and all other ethnic groups are represented. The late Prime Minister S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike acted as the Chairman of the national flag designing committee. The Secretary of this committee was the late President J.R. Jayawardene.  The committee led by the founder of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party as its Chairman and the nominee of the United National Party as the Secretary comprised of members of other ethnic groups and the national flag of the country as it stands today is a symbol of national amity representing all people of the country.

It is this national icon of a United Nation that has been distorted by Mahinda Rajapaksha and his stooges to achieve their parochial political interests. It is the gravest insult cast upon the founder of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Mahinda Rajapaksha who is leading the SLFP to its destruction is now engaged in destroying the vision of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. When Gotabhaya Rajapaksha was called before the bribery commission on allegations of corruption and fraud, the organized group of protesters present there was seen waving this distorted flag. The continuance of this action clearly indicates the underlying vicious aim of Mahinda Rajapaksha and his cohorts. It is nothing but a clear demonstration of the low grade politics of attempting to grab votes in the South by fanning communalist feelings and sparking again a communal conflict. 

All statements made by them making a bogey of the re-emergence of tiger terrorism, Geneva Commission and Electric Chair, Tamil diaspora and Tissa Attanayake type of creating a secret agreement are designed to arouse communal feelings among the people and destroy the country. 

It is very clear from the recent incident which took place at Kadugannawa whereat a media person who photographed the distorted flag was detained and threatened. It shows that they are engaged in the same type of intimidation which was prevalent during his time of rule. This action of muzzling the freedom of expression and obstructing the journalist has to be condemned with discontent.  

As a result of this hooligan behavior of Mahinda Rajapaksha and his henchman the country became the loser in many aspects during the previous regime.  It must be remembered that in the international arena we were relegated to the level of a ruthless tribe thus causing the nation serious damage which resulted in losing recognition and friendly disposition in the international arena. The intelligent people should understand this ignominious situation that the country had to face internationally.  

We have to commit ourselves to safeguard our society enriched by the teachings of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam faith and Christianity and a country where a multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic community live in harmony. A nation’s security lies in such a process and not on actions of a communalist nature. Mahinda Chinthanaya spells out communalism and he is surrounded by people who are strongly communalist in their speech and actions.  

Ronald Regan had stated that communalists could destroy a nation. We saved our country on the 8th of January 2015 when it was on the threshold of destruction. Now on the 17th of August we have to ensure that those elements who led the country to near destruction are defeated.

(A Statement Issued by Lakshman Kiriella,  Minister of Plantation Industries)

Photo curtesy Lankadeepa

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by     (2015-07-28 15:46:33)

ISIS and ISIL Terrorism – A Scourge on the Muslims and the world

Tuesday, 28 July 2015

The world is struck with fear, dread, shock and consternation in witnessing a gory, sanguinary behaviour on a daily basis, by a group of psychopathic murderous debauched maniacs calling themselves, Islamic State in the hope that they could empower themselves by the recruitment of the morally corrupt in the Islamic World.

These Sociopaths are trying to tell the Muslims of the world that they have not practised Islam for the past 1400 years and therefore they have ganged themselves up to do everything in their power to introduce a new order, which is indeed a degenerate devilish cult, to replace the Islam that has been followed and practised for over 1400 years.

Every Muslim who knows his or her religion strongly and vehemently condemn these lunatics who have unleashed violence and atrocities on the innocent men, women and children of the world.

In the true sense of the word these cruel monsters are not Muslims at all. They are terrorists and they have nothing to do with Islam or the Holy Quran – these abominations are nothing but ogres, devils and demons in human form.

Their loathsome and disgusting behaviour is a very clear example of their abhorrent and disgusting attitude – they should be dumped in untraceable dungeons and the keys thrown away.

We appeal to all Muslims and Non-Muslims do not fall prey to the wiles of these devils – Right-minded and rational people can see their reckless and malicious behaviour, marked by eagerness to resort to violence and bloodshed causing discomfort, annoyance and hatred in others.

You can see these deceitful scoundrels are even using cyber space and other social websites like facebook, twitter, etc., to lure and entice the unsuspecting younger generation to inject young blood into their devilish cult.

Whenever you see any message, sms or tweet, trying to trap you and tempt you promising the world and more, delete such communications immediately. Do not even attempt to respond positively or even negatively and in this regard we appeal to the parents to be extremely vigilant.

It is time to use, not only your knowledge and intelligence; but most importantly your wisdom. You will be able to see through these greedy, power hungry wicked villains as to who and what they are.

We also became aware of the fact that there has been incursions and inroads in to the society of Sri Lankan Muslims and a few of them have fallen prey to these shenanigans. The Muslims of Sri Lanka should realize that we have been living in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society for nearly 1200 Years and we have been living amicably, characterized by friendship and good will with all the races and communities in Sri Lanka. A wrong move by any one will certainly jeopardize this peace and tranquility which has been built over the centuries.

We appeal to the all the Muslims to be alert and very vigilant so that these execrations do not invade our society to cause chaos and mayhem in our peaceful Sri Lanka - Specifically those Producers of Muslim and Islamic Religious and Social Programmes in both Radio and Television Media should be very carefully observant and attentive - on the lookout for possible danger by artistes who may try to express themselves by speeches of inflammatory nature.

Therefore, No Programme Should Be Aired “Live”.

They should be properly and carefully examined in the studios and properly vetted before broadcasting or televising.

We trust that our President His Excellency, Maithripala Sirisena issues a directive to this effect without any delay.

We also appeal to the Government of Sri Lanka to take swift action against anyone

who is suspected or shows any inclination to these extreme terrorist organizations. We Sri Lankans Muslims will back you all the way.

M. Zulkifli Nazim

BBS & ISIS In Perspective: The Machiavellian & The Ruthless

By Mass L. Usuf –July 28, 2015

Mass L. Usuf

Is Simon Elliot going incognito as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the infamous ISIS ? Allegedly, a Jew who was recruited by the Israelis to take the place of the world’s most wanted terrorist? Was this Simon Elliot trained by Mossad and the CIA? Was Al-Baghdadi created to fill the vacuum of Osama bin Laden? Was ISIS created to tarnish the image of Islam? Speculation is rife in the realm of conspiracy theories with some even providing strong evidence. Be that as it may, what is certain and crystal clear however, is that ISIS has been very successful in tarnishing the image of Islam and the Muslims worldwide. Paradoxically, if it could be so called, hovering over the head of Al-Baghdadi is a ten million dollar reward, dead or alive.

What most concerns us is the news that a 37 year old Sri Lankan had chosen to be part of this outcast outfit. Most Sri Lankans were hearing the news in shock and disbelief. The ripple effect was instantaneous. The aura of peace and happiness within the Muslim families were rattled. Parents were rethinking the sacred trust they had placed in their children. Some are worried if they now have to look over the shoulder of their kids to ascertain what they are up to.

Condemnation

The All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulema (ACJU) a body of learned Islamic Scholars quickly sprang into action with a no holds barred condemnation both of the ISIS and the association with it by this adventurous Galewala man. At a press conference held on 23 July 2015, the ACJU took cognizance of the lurking danger of this menace on others, if not dealt with expeditiously. It spelt out the several immediate steps initiated to educate and create awareness that ISIS acts contrary to the teachings of Islam. The seriousness with which ACJU responded is a clear indicator of the extent to which the society has been shocked.

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) which was in a state of comatose, bankrupt with the lack of sensational news, erupted with spasms of Machiavellian ‘pleasure’. The analogy of rainfall after a severe drought is appropriate. Its coterie euphorically celebrated the truism in its “prophetic” foresight about the prevalence of extremists Muslims in Sri Lanka. Hallelujah ! Hallelujah !Read More

Sri Lanka’s ISIS militant: Why we should be (very) worried

By Ranga Jayasuriya-2015-07-28

After a nearly three-decade-long war waged by radicalized Tamils, the last thing Sri Lanka needs is its Muslims to be radicalized. But something seems to have gone wrong with the revelation that a Sri Lankan Muslim was killed fighting for the ISIS in Syria and his brother-in-law also reportedly serving the terror group. 

Sri Lanka’s ISIS Militant Why We Should Be (Very) Worried by Thavam Ratna

UK Diplomats Advised Against Using Helitours

By Easwaran Rutnam-Tuesday, July 28, 2015

 British diplomats have been advised against using Helitours after it was revealed that the domestic passenger airline was operating with an expired air safety certificate. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that staff at the British High Commission in Sri Lanka has been advised not to use the airline Helitours due to concerns about its safety certification

Helitours is the commercial air arm of the Sri Lanka Air Force and is established as a company under the Companies Act.

Helitours utilises turbine engine aircraft for touring and it claims it is compliant with civil aviation regulations applicable to a civil airline operator and has been issued an Air operating Certificate (AOC) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL).

Son of executive politician involved in murder of Thajudeen

WEDNESDAY, 29 JULY 2015

When the case regarding the murder of former rugby player Wasim Thajudeen was heard yesterday (28th) Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Pieris ordered the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) Ananda Samarasekera to submit the final postmortem report to court on 10th September.

The Magistrate also ordered that court should be informed after getting advice from the Attorney General regarding calling evidence necessary for the case from JMOs.

The police suspect a son of an executive politician for the murder and have gathered important information. It is being revealed that the reason for the murder could have been a love affair.

The Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka has said once the investigations have been completed Yoshitha Rajapaksa becoming the accused could not be prevented.

Ruggerite Thajudeen was tortured and killed : arrests of Yoshitha and ex DIG Anura Senanayake imminent

(Lanka-e-News- 28.July.2015, 1.50PM) Arrests of Yoshitha Rajapakse and ex DIG Anura Senanayake are imminent in connection with the death of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen which by now has been confirmed as a brutal cold blooded murder , based on reports reaching Lanka e news.

The preliminary investigations conducted by the CID is now concluded , and it is now confirmed that Thajudeen was murdered and his death was not due to a vehicle accident.

The CID filed a case today in the Colombo  additional magistrate court yesterday before additional magistrate Nishantha Peiris , and next hearing was postponed until today (28).

The investigations have revealed that prior to killing the Rugby player , he had been tortured . His teeth, knee caps , and the feet bones   had been  broken. In addition his neck  had been stabbed with a sharp instrument .He has also been attacked with  a blunt instrument. 

The CID made these revelations before  court .

Thajudeen who resided at Murugan road , Wellawatte , according to what was reported at that time ,  he died on 16 th  May 2012 near the Narahenpita Shalika playground when his car he was travelling caught  fire .The police also said , his charred body was taken out from the car on the following day , that is 2012-05-17 

It has come to light that Yoshitha had got involved with the fiancee of Thajudeen , and a conflict had ensued between them . Thajudeen who was obviously angry had openly berated Yoshitha . (Rajapakses are most notorious for robbing not only  national wealth but even others’ wealth and women).

 It is suspected that following this enmity , Yoshitha had deployed his henchmen to murder Thajudeen. After killing  him , his body was dumped into the car and set on fire to dress the scene to look an accident . 

Unbelievably and most shamelessly it is the senior DIG  in charge of Colombo at that time Anura Senanayake whose favorite occupation while in police service was prostitution of official position in order to do any sordid and criminal bidding of the Rajapakses, who had given all the criminal unlawful  instructions to change the records of this murder at Narahenpita police  and falsify the true picture .

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by     (2015-07-28 08:41:02)

BBS, ISIS & The Real Problem

By Mohamed Faizal –July 28, 2015

Mohamed Faizal

Over a year ago, there was violence unleashed upon the Muslims ofAluthgama and Beruwela, resulting in loss of Muslim lives and damage to Muslim properties. This was not inter-communal violence. This was violence upon the Muslim community.

(I am emphasizing the religious identity of the victims here. Whenever any kind of violence is reported anywhere in the world, a lot of the people immediately assume that the perpetrators are Muslims. The impact of propaganda against Muslims has been so devastating. So, let us remind ourselves that the victims of the racial violence in Aluthgama and Beruwela were Muslims; they weren’t its perpetrators.)

It is well known that BBS was behind this despicable violence, and spoiling of the over-a-millennium long cordial relationship between the Muslim and Sinhalese communities in Sri Lanka.

BBS has had problems with halal meat; Muslim men wearing beard, and visiting Masjids for their daily prayers; and Muslim women wearing the Hijab. It now has another addition to the long list of ‘Muslim things’ that the Buddhists in this country should be very fearful of and react violently against. That is the ISIS!

The media recently reported the death of a Sri Lankan Muslim in Syria. He had joined the rank of the ISIS. This was delightful news for the BBS. Delightful; not dreadful! For no one, not even BBS, genuinely believes that ISIS is a world conquering force that would soon swallow up the “Buddhist” Sri Lanka. It is just politically beneficial for the evil ones to portray them as such.

Read More

Army Commandos going to be killed Nature, wheel promoting Sport

 Tuesday, 28 July 2015

Army Commandos, take a devastating turn under the patronage of bunch of rich fools, the Four Wheel Drive Club of Sri Lanka (4x4 Club), who thinks this beautiful island’s natural eco systems and landscapes are playing things for their heavy machines. 

The Commando 4x4 Expedition which is to be worked off from August 2 to 7

covering a distance of 775 km from Point Pedro to Uva Kuda Oya including some of country’s finest beaches, lagoons, jungles and mountains in the Eastern coastal belt will enter the list of greatest man-made environmental destructions of Sri Lanka, if the event will take place as scheduled. 

Causing many environment hazards under the cover of ‘Sports Tourism’ banner has become a common phenomenon in Sri Lanka during recent times. Citizens of Sri Lanka must raise their voice against these disastrous deeds as the short-term money country or organizations will earn from these events is no match for the price we pay in the long run by jeopardizing country’s natural assets. 

Tourism Promotion badly need a country-wide policy which assured the protection of island’s limited natural ecosystems. Environmental Authority must be firm on their policies, not compromising with money, political or military powers of these event organizers. 

Surprisingly Commandos has obtained the approval from Environment Authority to conduct the event. The event’s press release clearly stated the fun-ride will run through sand dunes of Manalkadu and the vehicles will cross the lagoons in Kokkuthuduwai, Challai and Dehiwatta to reach Thoppigala mountain. They will climb Rocky Mountains of Thoppigala to take an inland rout through the jungles of East to drive on the sandy beach in Arugambay before they reach Uva Kudaoya Commando Training Centre to run the extreme event. 

Had the Environment Authority considered the true environment impact of this entire event..? How long it will take to re-build the sand dunes naturally after 50 or higher powered automobiles run on them…..? What will happen to lagoon habitat once a parade of four wheels cross them killing many of its fish and water creatures….? What effect will cause by the vehicle gases and noise to the wilderness of Eastern jungles and its livelihood ….? 

On their previous attempt to conduct a 4x4 event in Potuvill and Arugambay, 4x4 Club received a bold reaction from the fishing community of the area and had to cancel the event. As their only passion is for their sport, even at the cost of country’s environment, they came back with the foolish idea of ‘ruin the nature for fun’ with the military power in a bigger scale this time. 

 

It is wise to conduct 4x4 events on prepared tracks or facilities as they have been conducted before and Sri Lanka cannot offer its limited natural assets for the fun and thrill of very little potion of the population who seek thrill on torturing mother nature. 

To much surprise environmentalists and nature lovers too have turned a blind eye to this imminent mass environment hazard and if not the citizens unite to stop this destruction, the organizers are eager to conduct the event annually. 

Army Commandos always stood for the betterment of motherland and Defence Secretary Ghotabaya Rajapaksa and Commando Regiment chief Maj. Gen. Prasanna Silva must take immediate action to preserve the good name of the regiment by making amendments to the event despite be a prey for bunch of 4x4 enthusiasts. 

Ravindra Kariyawasam (PhD Reading in Ecology Management) 

0718368642

Sisi’s rise has been good for Israel, but could 

he become a liability?

Meron Rapoport
Israeli officials described Sisi coming to power as a ‘miracle,’ but his wars against the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas seem too extreme, even for them 

Monday 27 July 2015

In November 2012, a few months after Mohamed Morsi became president in Egypt's first free elections, Amos Gilad, director of political-military affairs in Israel's defence ministry and holder of the Egyptian portfolio in the Israeli establishment for many years, expressed his concern about the state of affairs in Egypt following Morsi's victory.

Sisi’s rise has been good for Israel, but could he become a liability? by Thavam Ratna