Sri Lanka’s Minority Outreach Holds Risks Before Vote

Colombo’s contentious move to gain support among Tamil diaspora stands to hurt government’s support among Sinhalese

A recently resettled Tamil woman this week walked on land the government released back to its owners in April in the remote Sri Lankan village of Thillipali. PHOTO: BUDDHIKA WEERASINGHE/GETTY IMAGES

By UDITHA JAYASINGHE-Aug. 12, 2015

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka—Sri Lanka’s government has been reaching out to the country’s influential Tamil diaspora with the aim of building minority support and boosting its international standing. But the contentious strategy holds risks for the government’s survival ahead of parliamentary elections next week.

Sri Lanka’s Minority Outreach Holds Risks Before Vote by Thavam Ratna

Strong international involvement needed to address ongoing torture in Sri Lanka says Freedom From Torture

 

13 August 2015
A 78 page study by Freedom from Torture UK, found that Sri Lanka’s military, police and intelligence services have carried on practicing torture and rape against Tamils after the armed conflict, with incidents also occurring under the new Sirisena government.

The report called on member states of the United Nations Human rights Council and Security Council to work to ensure a “genuine accountability process” which to win the confidence of the Tamil community “must include strong international participation at every stage and level.”

Calling on Maithripala Sirisena to publically acknowledge torture and release the details of all detention camps on the island, the report also urged Sri Lanka's government to retroactively ratify the Rome State of the International Criminal Court to allow for the court to look into crimes committed during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict if needs be.

The Policy and Advocacy Director at Freedom from Torture, Sonya Sceats, said,

“That torture is deeply entrenched in the Sri Lankan military and policing apparatus is undeniable. The new political leadership elected to work with the President next week must be fearless in pursuing accountability for those responsible, no matter how powerful they are, and must put in place a credible plan to prevent torture in the future. Full accountability for torture and other grave abuses is essential and any process requires strong international participation at every stage and level to win the confidence of survivors, including those from the Tamil minority.”

The report documented 148 cases of torture in Sri Lanka, 94 percent of which were against Tamils.

Citing cases of the torture of Tamils upon return to Sri Lanka after living in the UK, the report said,

“It is of particular concern to Freedom from Torture that more than one third of the people whose cases were reviewed in this study were detained and tortured in Sri Lanka after returning from the UK following the end of the armed conflict (55 of 148 cases or 37%). Twenty-one people were accused of attending particular protests and demonstrations in the UK and eleven were shown photographs taken at these events.

Expressing concern at evidence of ongoing torture under Sri Lanka’s government, the report outlined at least 8 possible cases of torture after January’s presidential elections.

The report comes as a separate investigation into Sri Lanka, last month, found evidence of secret detention centers in Sri Lanka with cases of torture that occurred as recently as July 2015.

Sri Lanka continues 'multifaceted assault of terror' on Tamils under new government (28 Jul 2015)

sl_report_a4_-_final-f-b-web.pdf-Torture in Sri Lanka since.pdf by Thavam Ratna

Torture of Tamil detainees in Sri Lanka has continued, says charity

Despite election of reformist president Maithripala Sirisena, who vowed to lift government repression, charity says it is still receiving reports of torture

 
Sri Lanka’s reformist president Maithripala Sirisena, who came to power in January 2015 Photograph: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP/Getty Images

Julian Borger Diplomatic editor-Thursday 13 August 2015

Sri Lankan security forces have continued to torture Tamil detainees even after the election of reformist president Maithripala Sirisena in January, according to a report.

Torture of Tamil Detainees in Sri Lanka Has Continued, Says Charity by Thavam Ratna

To Vote Or Not To Vote

By M H M Faizer –August 13, 2015 

M H M Faizer

As a born and practicing Muslim I am inclined not to vote for Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR). MR was quite insensitive for issues faced by the Muslims in Sri Lanka. He maintained a deafening silence when all things were going wrong for the minority Muslims in the country. His brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was quite open in saying that there is Muslim terrorism in Sri Lanka. MR was witnessing the development and growth of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS). BBS was going out in all directions to attack the Muslims. They were inculcating into the minds of ordinary Buddhists that the Muslims are fast becoming a threat to the Buddhists and Buddhism and that they are in touch with the Muslim terrorist organizations worldwide. The political leadership also was endorsing this view of the BBS by not acting against their violent speeches and actions.

I agree that a majority of Muslims in Sri Lanka have become EXTREMISTS but certainly not TERRORISTS! They have become extremists in terms of practicing their religion. They want to become extremely pious. Islam after Prophet Muhammad is now almost 1450 years old.Over this period the practice of original Islam have diminished mainly due to whole lot of rituals being added! In the last forty years or so there is a revival of the original practices of Islam. Thanks to technology and other forms of communication there emerged a large number of Scholars who clearly communicated the original practices of Islam. The correct understanding of its principles in terms of social life,business practices and spiritual beliefs were imparted. Thus, emergence of Sharia banking ( though interest dealings are a taboo, the Islamic countries freely practiced them without correct knowledge), the Purdhah and Hijab for women, the details of Haram and Halaal food are some examples of them. So Muslims started following these original practices once again.In other words they were trying to become Extremely religious – whats wrong with it? In fact it is good for the society. When a community becomes religious they become more and more passive. Despite the killings and burnings at the Aluthgama incident, the Muslims did not retaliate.They also did not respond to all the Hate speeches of the BBS! Why? One contributing reason is their strong and extreme faith in Islam which strongly advocate Patience and to seek assistance from God Almighty!

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Maithri sends hard-hitting letter to MR

2015-08-13
In a hard-hitting letter to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, President Maithripala Sirisena as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today asked Mr. Rajapaksa not to raise communalism and said that he will not be appointed Prime Minister even if the party gets more than 113 parliamentary seats as there are more senior SLFPers who could be appointed as the Premier. 

  The President also said if the party did not reach the 113 mark, he could intervene to bridge the gap.

 In the five-page detailed letter, the President said there were seniors such as Nimal Siripala de Silva, John Seneviratne, A.H.M. Fowzie, Chamal Rajapaksa, Susil Premajayantha, Athauda Seneviratne and Anura Priyadarshana Yapa to be picked as the Prime Minister if the UPFA secured an overall majority at the elections. 

Therefore, he requested the former President to be generous and flexible, and to give his blessing for one of them to be appointed to the post. The President said it was hilarious to note Mr. Rajapaksa visiting temples with media coverage right from the day of his defeat at the January 8 election. 

“In the media, I learnt of your intention to work closely with me. If you had such genuine intentions, I would like to bring to your notice certain matters. With the enactment of the 18th Amendment, people’s freedom and democratic rights were undermined. The social democratic outlook of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) suffered a serious assault as a result,” he said. 

He said had the former president retired after the completion of two terms, other seniors of the party would have been afforded the opportunity to take over. Then, he said the SLFP would have produced both the President and the Prime Minister. 

274386519-Maithri-sends-hard-hitting-letter-to-MR.pdf by Thavam Ratna

Gain 40,000 votes by answering three simple questions: open to Mahinda and UPFA leaders only !

(Lanka-e-news -13.Aug.2015, 9.30PM) The deposed  president of the country Mahinda Rajapakse or any  leader of the UPFA ought to furnish answers to the three undernoted questions :

1.Until last week ,Mahinda and his group were making announcements that Mahinda suffered defeat because of western countries led by America. But now they say , with president Maithri they will form a government. Then are they implying they are  going to form a pro western government with Maithri ?   

If not , are they  unwittingly admitting  what they  told earlier is a blatant lie ? 

2. In the Derana 360 program on the 11 th , Mahinda Rajapakse said,  the western countries brought about his downfall because he refused to divide the country. In other words, he was   saying , Maithri won because of the western bloc or else the latter made Maithri win to divide the country? Then is he  of the alliance  now trying to join with president Maithri to divide the country ? or is it to propel  the victory of Maithri jointly with western bloc allegedly aimed at dividing the country? 

If not , is what Mahinda said on the 11 th a brazen lie?

3. Nimal Sripala De Silva at the rally at Badulla , said , last January 8 th , the westerners after toppling ‘our president Mahinda’ will install a puppet leader in this country.  In that case is he and his alliance   seeking  now to form a government  jointly  with the same Maithripala  who is a puppet leader ? That is , you are for  a UPFA puppet regime , aren’t you?

If not , is what Nimal Siripala  De Silva said in Badulla a shameless lie?

We  urge you to  answers  these three questions.

If you can furnish answers to these three questions ,  I solemnly assure the ten votes of my family members are for you. Even those who are reading this article ,if you  too receive right answers , please give your votes to the Alliance. That means if there are 20 000 readers of this article , and if there are two votes from each family , 40,000 votes can be gained by the alliance.

In the circumstances ,  it is in the  best interest of the Alliance that Mahinda or  UPFA leaders give  proper answers to these three simple questions. If even Maithripala Sirisena as leader of UPFA and SLFP , in case he has the time gives the answers , those too will be welcome.

By Kosala Karunaratne
Translated by Jeff

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by     (2015-08-13 16:45:18)

General Election 2015: Estimated Results by TK Research: UNF 105; UPFA 89; JVP16; TNA 14

13/08/2015

General Election 2015: Estimated Results by TK Research & Solution (Pvt) Ltd.

Read the revised report here: Estimated Results 12-08-2015 with Bonus Seat Allocation

First of all, we would like to thank all the respondents who participated both online and offline surveys.

General Election 2015 Estimated Results by TK Research UNF 105 UPFA 89 JVP16 TNA 14 by Thavam Ratna

From ‘Can’t Do Without Mahinda’ To ‘Can’t Do With Mahinda’

By Karu Jayasuriya –August 13, 2015

Karu Jayasuriya

Power at any cost; It is the UPFA’s election strategy which is evident now from their daily change of slogans. The UPFA campaign commenced with the slogan “can’t do without Mahinda” then changed it to “we rise with Mahinda”. They have now abandoned both those slogans and their election campaign has taken a new turn in the eleventh hour. Now they have started using the photograph of President Maithripala Sirisena to boost their campaign. It shows that those who shouted the slogans “can’t do without Mahinda” have now changed the slogan to “can’t do with Mahinda”. The group which tried to convene the SLFP Central Committee and oust the President and his loyalists from the party has now started marketing the image of President Maithripala Sirisena; as their final trump card.

What the UPFA leaders should understand is that President Maithripala Sirisena is not merely an individual, but he is the icon of a program of action. The real representatives of the movement who stand for good governance, guaranteeing the supremacy of law and creating a righteous society are candidates contesting the elections from the United National Front for good governance and not from the UPFA.

Now they have started using the photograph of President Maithripala Sirisena to boost their campaign

The majority of the UPFA candidates are those who are accused of corruption, fraud, thuggery and spreading fear psychosis. They do not represent the thinking of President Maithripala Sirisena. The group that broke away from the UPFA along with President Maithripala has come forward to contest this election as candidates of the United National Front. It is now too late for the UPFA to guarantee their future by taking cover under President Maithripala’s image.

Throughout the whole election campaign, UPFA based their propaganda on slogans connecting the diaspora, division of the country and federal administration. When it was found that these slogans have lost validity they resorted to staging hilarious dramas by exhibiting vials of poison and empty pots. The issue of the UPFA manifesto is another trump card used by them. It was a shower of promises; what Mahinda Rajapaksa did not do when he was in power and what he willfully abandoned are now incorporated into a pack of promises “guaranteeing the future” which itself has boomeranged on them.

He promises to give Rupees 200,000 to the youth at the time of tying the nuptial knot. It reminds the people of the increase of the marriage registration fee from Rs. 500 to 5,000. It also reminds the people about his broken promise to “giving houses and lands at the time of marriage”.

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Creative politics of JVP Today

Creative politics of JVP is based on some main principles. Justice, equality, and fairness, to all people without any discrimination on the basis of language, race or religion. If JVP can build this nation on the basis of these principles no doubt Sri Lanka could become one more Singapore in Asia soon.

by Rifai
Views expressed in this article are author own

( August 13, 2015, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Unlike other two main political parties, today, JVP is making a political history in Sri Lanka. Indeed, it has given a new impetus and dimension to Sri Lankan politics. Under the diligent leadership of AK Desanayake, JVP is creating a new political philosophy. In 70 years of Sri Lankan politics, no leader has made such an immense impact on politics as AKD does in politics with his eloquence in speaking skills. He is a charismatic leader with his talks and skills. He presents his arguments with logical reasoning. He appeals to people in a way that people could understand, appreciate and agree with him. He rationalises his argument and point of views with substantiated evidence. He talks in a convincing way. No other leaders in Sri Lanka have done such a political speeches in recent time. It is amazing to listen to him, it is always encouraging to listen to him and it is always exciting to listen to him.

Today, people do not want to know too much of political bluffing rather people want to see the practical dimensions and illustrations of what politicians talk about. Actions speak louder than talks. Today, people are intelligent enough to know the truth. They would like to see actions, practical dimensions in the life of political leadership not mere talks. Unlike all other political parties, JVP is an honest, dedicated, dynamic, and loyal political party. It lives up to its principles and it does not compromise its principles at all. They are brave enough to bring out all lies of any government. They do not fear any one to do this. They do not compromise their policies for just to get some political perks and enticing. No politician could buy them with money or post. This is indeed, a new direction in Sri Lankan politics.

Traditionally, Sri Lankan politics has been for some political perks, I mean people engaged in politics to get some influence, to make some wealth and to gain some reputation. Yet, JVP changed this trend and set an example to say publicly that politics is not for making money or to gaining reputation rather politics is all about good governance, good management of public administration, it is all about of national interest, it is all about serving public, it is all about of helping poor and it is all about public service. It is not all about personal interest of some politicians and rather it is public interest, it is about future of Sri Lanka, it is not about future of some politicians.   Indeed, AKD has broken political backbones of some political parties in Sri Lanka.

AKD asks some tough questions. He asked what UNP and SLFP have done for the last 70 years in Politics in Sri Lanka? What are their political accomplishments of these parties in 70 years Sri Lankan politics? They have sent two millions Sri Lankan into Middle East countries to work as house maids. They have created some political thugs in Sri Lanka. They have looted public money and they have destroyed the economy of this nation. They have created anarchy in law and order of this country. They have created communal disharmony and discontent in Sri Lanka. They have given some political perk to some people.

In short, UNP and SLFP have created some sort of capitalistic political culture to serves some people in Sri Lanka at the expense of public. JVP has exposed all dirty politics of UNP and SLFP for the last 70 years. This is the creative politics of JVP. It can be described as an alternative politics of JVP. Because, it has always been debating the burning issues of people such as price hike, unemployment problems, problems of migrant workers, the problems of student communities, challenges of mismanagement in government departments, the issue of corruption and fraud in public offices.

Moreover, they have disciplines and good human manners to deal with public. They have good public relation with all sort of people, poor, weak, and all sort of people. They have created a new political culture in Sri Lanka in a short time frame work. The have reached some political milestone within a short period of time. We do not see leadership internal fighting in JVP. They are matured enough to discuss, debate, and analysis any political issue in Sri Lanka. Above all, they have a team of highly educated people now and these are cream of any community. Highly educated people of all sort of professionals with dedication to serve the country and people.

Most of JVP members are good in their personal life. They have not cheated any one in public. They have not stolen public money and they have not wasted public fund. Their names have not been tarnished by bad images in public. Thus, people could trust them and people could believe in them and people could have confidence in them. This is not a case in most of other party members in UNP and SLFP. People in SLFP are notorious for the drug dealing, looting public money and nepotism. This is not a case in JVP and they have some good political ideals to live with.

So, sooner or later JVP will get more support from public to form its government in SL. People are today more awaken in politics than in the past. So this is a gold opportunity for them to come to power. What they could not do through revolutionary struggles in the past, they could do it through democratic process and they could win elections in this democratic way. Thanks to their patience, tolerance and mutual understanding and above all, good planning and systemization. Today, JVP is a well organised and methodological political party. They live up to modern technological and global world. They have learned a lot from international politics. JVP leader has got some international political exposure and experiences. He is highly advised and professionally guided in politics. Loot at some of his talks to gauge the difference between him and all other leaders.

While others are talking non-sense in political platforms JVP leader speaks with substance and logical reasoning. The difference is very much vivid for any discerning and sound man. Even a child of five years could differentiae the difference. What a blessing to Sri Lanka to have such a broad minded political leader in SL? People should respect him for his courage and braveness. It is not for his personal interest that he is fighting for rather he is fighting for each and every person in SL. He is not for Sinhalese alone rather he fighting for all communities: Tamils, Sinhalese, Malays, Muslims and all other Lankans.

Creative politics of JVP is based on some main principles. Justice, equality, and fairness, to all people without any discrimination on the basis of language, race or religion. If JVP can build this nation on the basis of these principles no doubt Sri Lanka could become one more Singapore in Asia soon. Yet, will other political party allow JVP to grow and get some political development. I think JVP with its good examples and good role models should keep public with its side. It is public support that what matters most? It is public opinions that could make or break in politics. It is Not Ranil or Maithri who is going to change the trajectory of politics in Sri Lanka rather it is JVP. I think JVP would make a political history in Sri Lanka. It is because best academics, professionals, and intellectuals with them today, most of university academics back them now. It is a matter of time public will decide.

Today, people want to see the role models in politics. Each and every politicians in JVP have set some good examples in politics. They dedicated their times, energy, money and wealth for the party and for Sri Lanka. I shall give some examples to illustrate this point. Some JVP MP sacrificed their salaries to the party and they do not take any government salaries rather they spend the salaries for their parties, some of them do not use all government facilities for their personal interest, even some of them do not come to parliament in luxury cars, they do not rob public money at all rather they handle public money with care and precaution. It is reported that car permits are exchanged by some other politicians and yet, JVP MPs gave their car permit to their political party rather than taking it for themselves. While all other party use public money and facilities for party politics or for election works JVP will never do this. Financial needs of JVP are met with support of its members and donations of public. It is really a good example in Sri Lankan politics.

So, why do not you vote for JVP?

So why do not you give a chance for them?

So, why do not you see a difference in politics in Sri Lanka?

Why do not you want to take part in this new politics of JVP?

If you want to see a real change in Sri Lanka vote for JVP? Try this time alone to see the difference?

Do it for the sake of your children?

Do it for the brighter future of Sri Lanka?

Lull before elections means fun for MaCaw (Elections commissioner)

(Lanka-e-news -13.Aug.2015, 6.30PM) It is the general consensus among a great  many that the up coming elections in Sri Lanka this time is peaceful and is akin to elections In England. The entire election process is completely under the purview of the Elections commissioner with no one else giving him orders. 

Fortunately at this election there are no Rajapakses to say ‘do this’ or ‘don’t do this.’ There is no Rajapakses’ defense secretary to address meetings violating election laws;  there are no Rajapakses’  ministers distributing gifts out of public funds; there is no parliamentary  speaker or the Nil Balakaya M.P. of the Rajapakses who acts in breach of election laws .

Hence , the Elections commissioner is calm and is able to relax without running around  like a  cat on  hot bricks . The photograph herein will bring home to the readers how relaxed is  the  Elections commissioner at this election with no Rajapakses and their villainous groups to  stalk or  harass him. In the photograph is elections commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya in full glee enjoying himself in the company of  his brothers , sisters , their children and  grandchildren.

One of the main reasons for this happy moment is, the return to the country of his elder brother Sunanda Deshapriya who fled the country six years ago because of death threats. This happy occasion is to mark the re union with the participation of all family members.
 
In the photograph are : Elections commissioner and his wife  , his younger brother Vasantha Deshapriya , director ICTA  and his wife , (professor) who is  on the right side of Deshapriya, and Sunanda Deshapriya  (on Mahinda Deshapriya’s   right side in second row end) . 

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by     (2015-08-13 13:11:07)

I believe

• by Prof. Priyan Dias 
• - on 08/13/2015 

I believe in human equality more than national security
I believe in an unstable democracy more than a stable dictatorship
I believe in social justice more than the creation of wealth
I believe in investing in human capital more than in physical capital
I believe in solidarity with the weak more than alignment with the strong
I believe in accepting the outsider more than consolidating the insiders
I believe in fostering diversity more than seeking uniformity
I believe in personal freedom more than cultural conformity
I believe in exercising curiosity more than relying on authority
I believe in questioning technology more than welcoming it wholeheartedly
I believe in preserving the environment more than exploiting it for human benefit
I believe in acts of mercy more than personal piety
I believe in the idealism of the young more than the conservatism of the old
I believe in dreaming of the future more than dwelling in the past

###

Photograph courtesy Inspire Others

Champika’s Cabinet paper on the Coal Tender - Who siphoned off Rs 12 Billion?

BY J. RICHARD JAYAWARDENA- 2015-08-13

Information received from the ministry of Power and Energy reveals that someone has tried to pilfer a sum of Rs 12.18 billion in the procedure to supply coal as raw material for the next three years on behalf of the 'Lakvijaya' thermal power station in Norochcholai, Puttalam.

Champika’s Cabinet Paper on the Coal Tender - Who Siphoned Off Rs 12 Billion by Thavam Ratna

Bond: Who Scammed Whom?

By Aruna Kulatunga –August 13, 2015

Aruna Kulatunga

Lankans loose Rs. 10,000 per person due to looses incurred under Cabraal

It was in 1992 that I returned to Sri Lanka from Hong Kong to start Forbes Research, one of the first independent equity research houses in Sri Lanka. During my two year stint with Forbes Research, before leaving to Hong Kong again to take up an offer with one of Asia´s top stock broking firms, Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia (CLSA) as their institutional sales head for the Indian sub-continent based in HK, I was a member of the USAID-ISTI primary debt committee that made a series of recommendations which laid the foundation for the change of what was previously known as rupee loans to treasury bonds.

This background left me in some consternation when I read the report of the committee appointed by the government to look into the Bond issues of the Central Bank last week. Before I delve more, I have known Central Bank governor since his days as a young advisor to the then Minister of Industries Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe in the early 90´s, and have worked in parallel while he was head of research for Society Generale Cross Asset Research ( Soc-Gen Crosby) and I was at Credit Lyonnais. I have been in regular contact since 2012 with Charlie Mahendra, a contemporary of my father at the University of Peradeniya and his neighbour at the Ramachandra Hall and an advisor to the Prime Minister Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe. The senior Mr Mahendra tolerated my chatter during the time we both visited the office of the leader of the opposition since 2012. When the first indications of the Bond issue becoming an issue became apparent through a Facebook post, I was amongst the first to defend Arjuna Mahendra – not because I had knowledge of him, but also because it made no sense – and still does not.

Lets take the events and construct a timeline taking from the Committee report.

01-Feb-15

The Public Debt Department (PDD) of the Central Bank in consultation with others estimates the debt requirement for the next month – in this case for month beginning 01 March 2015. No evidence has been presented as to what this amount wasRead More

Soldier gets life sentence for heroin possession

2015-08-13
A former army major who was found guilty of possession of six kilograms of heroin was sentenced to life imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Lalith Jayasuriya.

Sentencing the prisoner, the judge said this was an offence that warranted the death sentence, but it had been confined only to statutory books. Therefore, he said, he would sentence the convict to life imprisonment.

Prosecuting Counsel Sanil Kularatne said the image of the army had been tarnished due to this heroin deal that gave financial benefits to the LTTE. Describing the convict as a traitor who betrayed not only the military but also the entire country, he sought a severe punishment that would serve as a deterrent.

The convict is Kamal Santa Kariyawasam of Ampegama, Galle. He was arrested while transporting heroin in a private bus at the Parayanakulam checkpoint. He had obtained this haul of heroin from a location in an LTTE held area.

Acting on a tip off, Murukkan Police OIC Upul Seneviratne had made arrangements for the arrest. Kariyawasam is an engineering graduate of the Kotalawala Defence Academy.(Manopriya Gunasekara)
- See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/83339/life-sentence-for-heroin-possession#sthash.7tmeznns.dpuf