Video: Resolution on SL adopted without a vote

2015-10-01
The new resolution on Sri Lanka that was submitted to the UNHRC last Thursday, was adopted without a vote a short while ago, as part of the proceedings of 40th meeting of the UNHR Council’s ongoing 30th session.

The resolution A/HRC/30/L.29, titled ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ was submitted before the Council last Thursday following a series of negotiations between the Sri Lankan delegation and the ‘Core Group’ sponsors to which included delegations from Albania, Australia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, UK, Northern Ireland and the US.

Meanwhile, the resolution also enjoyed the support of 25 more additional co-sponsors.

It was submitted last Thursday about five hours behind schedule, due to setbacks that resulted from prolonged negotiations over its language, as objections were raised against certain paragraphs and wording included in the draft text by the Sri Lankan delegation.

However, eventually Sri Lanka decided to co-sponsor the resolution once a consensus was reached over its content.

The resolution while welcoming the government’s recognition an accountability process to uphold the rule of law, affirms the importance of having independent judicial and prosecutorial institutions led by personnel known for integrity and impartiality and has further noted the ‘importance of participation in a Sri Lankan judicial mechanism, including the Special Counsel’s office, of Commonwealth and other foreign judges, defence lawyers, and authorized prosecutors and investigators’.

The resolution has also recognised the need for accountability and reconciliation process for the violations and abuses committed by the LTTE as highlighted in the recently released OISL (OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka) report.

Moreover, it has called for the OHCHR to continue to monitor Sri Lanka’s progress in the implementation of its recommendations and other relevant processes linked to reconciliation, accountability, and human rights and calls for the High Commissioner’s Office to present an oral update to the UNHRC at its 32nd session as well as a comprehensive report followed by discussion on the implementation of the present resolution at its 34th session. (Lakna Paranamanna)

 
  

Resolution on Sri Lanka adopted

( October 1, 2015, Geneva, Sri Lanka Guardian) The new resolution on Sri Lanka that was submitted to the UNHRC last Thursday, was adopted without a vote a short while ago, as part of the proceedings of 40th meeting of the UNHR Council’s ongoing 30th session.

The resolution A/HRC/30/L.29, titled ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ was submitted before the Council last Thursday following a series of negotiations between the Sri Lankan delegation and the ‘Core Group’ sponsors to which included delegations from Albania, Australia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, UK, Northern Ireland and the US.

Meanwhile, the resolution also enjoyed the support of 25 more additional co-sponsors. It was submitted last Thursday about five hours behind schedule, due to setbacks that resulted from prolonged negotiations over its language, as objections were raised against certain paragraphs and wording included in the draft text by the Sri Lankan delegation. However, eventually Sri Lanka decided to co-sponsor the resolution once a consensus was reached over its content.

The resolution while welcoming the government’s recognition an accountability process to uphold the rule of law, affirms the importance of having independent judicial and prosecutorial institutions led by personnel known for integrity and impartiality and has further noted the ‘importance of participation in a Sri Lankan judicial mechanism, including the Special Counsel’s office, of Commonwealth and other foreign judges, defence lawyers, and authorized prosecutors and investigators’.

The resolution has also recognised the need for accountability and reconciliation process for the violations and abuses committed by the LTTE as highlighted in the recently released OISL (OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka) report. Moreover, it has called for the OHCHR to continue to monitor Sri Lanka’s progress in the implementation of its recommendations and other relevant processes linked to reconciliation, accountability, and human rights and calls for the High Commissioner’s Office to present an oral update to the UNHRC at its 32nd session as well as a comprehensive report followed by discussion on the implementation of the present resolution at its 34th session.

Read full text of the resolution;

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NGOs call for internationalised accountability process and monitoring of ongoing violations against victim Tamil community in Sri Lanka

01 October 2015
Non-Governmental Organisations stressed the importance of ongoing monitoring in Sri Lanka, an internationalised judicial process for accountability, ending ongoing violations against the majority victim Tamil community and seeking a lasting political solution during the general debate on the OISL report into Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Addressing member states of the UNHRC during the debate, United Nations Watch condemning the ongoing “oppression of the Tamils” in Sri Lanka, called on the new government to “end impunity” and deliver a credible process for reconciliation and accountability.

Commenting on the OISL report the organisation said, 

“We condemn the oppression of the Tamils and other minority groups. The inquiry has documented numerous cases of targeted killings of politicians, where the victims are often those of Tamil descent. Enforced disappearances continue unabated, with the most vulnerable group being Tamil males in government controlled areas.” 

Minority Rights Group International, highlighting a “broader systemic pattern of gender-based violence against Tamil women,” stressed that “the situation remains grave for minority women.”

“Amidst pervasive military presence in the North and East, many face chronic insecurity, protracted displacement, land grabbing and the threat of sexual violence,” added the organisation. 

Adding that Tamils and other marginalised groups remained to be side-lined MRG added, 

“Without a clear framework of protection or inclusion in place for minority women and other marginalised groups, the prospects of reconciliation and a lasting peace will remain elusive.”

MRG called on Sir Lanka to establish a hybrid court to deal with findings with strong international involvement and unfettered access to all UN procedures. 

Forum Asia, endorsing the findings and recommendations of the OISL, highlighted that “oppressive structures, policies and practices continue in Sri Lanka.”

Adding that harassment, intimidation, torture and sexual violence against war victims “continue in the North and East alongside military occupation of civilian land.” 

All accountability process must include a “majority of international judges, lawyers and investigators, appointed independently,” said Forum Asia adding it was imperative that “war crimes, crime against humanity and genocide are criminalised domestically with retrospective affect.”

International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), urged Sri Lanka’s political leaders to respect pledges given to victims for justice and guaranteed of non-recurrence, and called on Sri Lanka to implement all recommendations effectively and in a meaningful manner.

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), noting the decades long erosion of Sri Lanka’s judicial process, stressed the importance of implementing the OISL recommendations for a hybrid court and “prosecutor’s offices that fully integrates international judges, prosecutors, lawyers and investigators.”

The ICJ further stressed the need for continued monitoring of implementation of the OISL recommendations “through an OHCHR country office and the Council.” 

Liberation noting the lack of trust that Tamils had  in “leaving the implementation of the High Commissioner’s Report to the Government of Sri Lanka and its own local mechanisms” called on the UN to act as a “guarantor” for the future process of accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

Liberation further noted the further “escalation of army presence”  in the Tami North-East and highlighted the lack of dialogue on resolving “ the long standing ethnic conflict among the communities. 


Lawyers Rights Watch Canada, stressing a lack of “basic trust of the predominantly Tamil war-affected population,” warned, “without such trust, any domestic accountability mechanism would lack credibility and meaning.”

LLRW called on the human rights council to adopt a resolution that “ explicitly adopts the recommendations of the High Commissioner, guarantees strict timelines for progress to be made and ensures that Sri Lanka remains on the international agenda.”

The organisation added that,

“An accountability process must have significant international involvement, including at minimum having a majority of judges, prosecutors and investigators appointed from outside Sri Lanka.. and having an independent and internationally overseen wetness victim protection scheme.”

Speaking through the League For Disabilities, Northern Provincial Councillor MK Shivajalingam, expressing regret that the UNHRC draft resolution did not explicitly call for full implementations of the OISL report, called on the council to consider confidence building measures to gain the trust of the victim Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

Mr Shivajalingam called on the OHCHR to “open up offices in the North-East of Sri Lanka where a majority of the victims have access, press Sri Lanka to end the military occupation of the North-East and create the normal condition for the Tamil people, so they will be able to participate in a judicial process without fear, ensure protection of witnesses, call on Sri Lanka to accept a Un mediated process towards finding a permanent political solution” and “monitor progress in Sri Lanka, and refer the issue to a full international mechanism under the UN if no progress is made.” 

Speaking through the Alliance Creative Community Project, leader of the Tamil National People’s Front and TAICAM, G Ponnambalam, expressed concern that the draft resolution to be table don Sri Lanka “does not seriously address the significant shortcomings detailed in the OISL report,” and reiterated “the firm conviction of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, who comprise the vast majority of the victims, that accountability and justice can only be truly delivered through an international criminal justice process.”

Release the Undulagama and Paranagama Commission reports - CaFFE and CHR urge the President

Oct 01, 2015

Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) and Centre for Human Rights and Research (CHR) requests the government to release Undulagama and Paranagama Commission reports on alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka.

The two organizations, making an open request from President Sirisena, said that the best way to open a dialogue on alleged human rights violations during the Rajapaksa Regime is to publicize the Undulagama and Paranagama Commission reports and interim reports of these committees.

These documents can be made base documents which can be used to investigate alleged human rights allegations as the evidence given by victims and associates of victims of assassinations, abduction and torture are properly documented in these reports.

There might be criticisms on the commission, how they conducted themselves and recommendations. However concrete facts of over 60 incidents, including the assassination of Lakshman Kadiragamar, killing of ACF workers in Muttur, the murder of five students in Trincomalee and the disappearance of Father Jim Brown, have been considered by these commissions.

There are two basic false claims on human rights violations which took place in Sri Lanka. One is the zero civilian casualties argument which was initially propagated by the Rajapaksa regime. The second is conflicting reports of civilian casualties in the last phase of the war. However with these commission reports we can start a proper investigation into alleged human rights violations in the country.

The current government, on several occasions promised to release the two reports by the end of September and the time has come to deliver.

If the government keeps on delaying the release of the two reports CaFFE and CHR believes that all Civil Society Organizations and citizens must unite to pressurize the government to keep its promises.

We Cannot Let The Country Be Destroyed: Leader Of The Opposition

October 1, 2015 

Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan addressing a star-studded line up of politicians, including Chandrika Kumartunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe noted that the country’s politicians always should give priority to “Democracy”.

Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan

The Tamil National Alliance leader, who has been in the limelight lately said the erosion of democracy will lead to the destruction of the country.

“Sri Lanka should always be a vibrant democracy. We cannot let the country be destroyed. So we should strengthen our democratic institutions and protect democracy as a whole” Sampanthan said.

He made these observation while speaking at the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of the Department of Elections held at the BMICH yesterday.

The event was a rare one in the sens it drew some of Sri Lanka’s key political leaders who have been at loggerheads more often than not.

Former President’s Chandrika Kumartunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, R. Sampanthan along with the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya occupied the front row.

“Although Ranil and Mahinda were seen to be chatting together for the most part of the event Chandrika remained silent and even avoided eye contact with her declared enemy Rajapaksa. Fortunately it was Wickremesinghe who was seated next to Rajapaksa followed by Kumaratunga.” an observer told Colombo Telegraph.

Sampanthan went on to say that the Department of Elections should at all times fully honour its commitments in ensuring free and fair elections.                         Read More

Justice rely on the Sincere & Genuine Cooperation of the Government

The new government has shown some signs of good will but not yet shown the needed courage and strength to rectify all the injustices still suffered by the victims of the war. A clear example is that even under this new government, instead of demilitarization of Tamil areas there is further escalation of military presence.

by Fr.S.J.Emmanuel

( October 1, 2015, Berlin, Sri Lanka Guardian) We give a cautious but hopeful welcome to this Resolution. We thank the High Commissioner and his team for the Report – a historic document in promoting Truth, Justice and Accountability for all the peoples of Sri Lanka.

How far the mechanism proposed in this draft resolution will prove to be credible and serve truth, justice and accountability, will depend largely on the sincere and genuine cooperation of the Sri Lankan Government.

The victims of war understandably have no confidence in leaving the implementation of the High Commissioner’s Report to the Government of Sri Lanka and its own local mechanism. The silver line of hope for us all is the international component of this proposed mechanism and the sincere and genuine cooperation of the new government as promised by its Foreign Minister here in this aula.

Tamils have been admittedly let down, more than once, by the United Nations and its agencies in not stopping the massacre of so many civilians during the war. Here is a chance for this Council to act as guardian and guarantor for the future conduct and cooperation of one of the members of the United Nations.

The new government has shown some signs of good will but not yet shown the needed courage and strength to rectify all the injustices still suffered by the victims of the war. A clear example is that even under this new government, instead of demilitarization of Tamil areas there is further escalation of military presence.

We strongly exhort the government to translate their own promises into quick actions. We wish much sincerity, good will and courage to all leaders of this august Assembly in Geneva to continue its active vigilance on Sri Lanka as well as to the political, religious and civic leaders of all the peoples of Sri Lanka to grasp this great opportunity and move meaningfully to reconciliation and peace.

UK welcomes UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Sri Lanka

Hugo Swire today welcomed the adoption of an important and historic resolution on Sri Lanka by the UN Human Rights Council.

1 October 2015
The United Kingdom co-sponsored this resolution and the one in March 2014 that called for an independent investigation by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Minister of State for Asia, Hugo Swire, said:

I warmly welcome the UN Human Rights Council’s adoption of this historic resolution on Sri Lanka.

Last year, the United Kingdom pushed hard for a UN process that would shine a light on a traumatic period in Sri Lanka’s history. We believed then, as we believe now, that for Sri Lanka to fulfil its enormous potential it must address the difficult legacy of its past.

With co-sponsorship by the Sri Lankan government, today’s resolution sets Sri Lanka on a new path towards reconciliation and a more prosperous and inclusive future - a path which is clearly marked by the recommendations set out in the UN report and which, at every step, the United Kingdom stands ready to support.

I recognise this has not been an easy process for Sri Lanka, but I commend its people and its government for their willingness to take these brave steps forward.

We Are Witnessing the New Hope in Sri Lanka – Nimalka Fernando

( Photo: Nimalka Fernando at HRC 30 ©SLB)

01/10/2015 

Thank you Mr. President,

IMADR and Rights Now Collective for Collective for Democracy welcome the OISL report and the recommendations of the High Commissioner. We regret that it took six long years for the international community to recognise the violations of human rights and humanitarian law, war crimes, crimes against humanity and gruesome gender based violence happened in Sri Lanka by both sides of the conflict. Local and international NGOs including victims and survivors continuously called upon this Council to investigate into these incidents while some Member States supported the previous Government using the blanket of sovereignty.

IMADR has worked with all stakeholders including the diaspora for many years amidst threats and risk to lives of our leadership and activists. We are witnessing the new hope in Sri Lanka, as all communities converge to map out a path for peace, reconciliation and restoration of dignity for all citizens. The era of Constitutional authoritarianism in the name of sovereignty applied by the former regime is defeated by the people through a ballot. The struggle to uphold human rights, democracy and rule of law has won the day. We congratulate the new political leadership in Sri Lanka for acknowledging the need to address the challenges for human rights and justice in a constructive manner, which is prerequisite for lasting peace in Sri Lanka. We urge the political leaders to respect the pledges given to victims, survivors and human rights defenders for justice and guarantee of non-recurrence.

As the High Commissioner stated, “it is imperative that the Government seizes the unique opportunity it has to break the mold of impunity once and for all.” Further, the OISL concluded that “incidents of sexual violence were not isolated act; that it was part of an institutional policy within the security forces.” We urge the GOSL to fully implement all the recommendations effectively and in a meaningful manner. It is important that all the documents are translated accurately into Sinhala and Tamil to assist in a constructive dialogue. The time has come for healing wounds, IMADR will support all efforts together with victims, survivors, peace-loving people and democratic forces of Sri Lanka.
Thank you Mr. President.

IMADR Oral Statement: 30th session of the Human Rights Council read by Dr. Nimalka Fernando
Item 2: High Commissioner’s report on Sri Lanka
30 September 2015

All those who ruined me are now around Maithri, Ranil. Let things go on’ – says Mahinda Rajapaksa!

Oct 01, 2015

“Now, the matter is firmly fixed. All those who made use of me for years and then ruined me have now caught up with Maithri and Ranil. Now, they are conning them beautifully. It took 10 years for my ruination. At this rate, they will get ruined in a year or two. It is sure,” said former president, Kurunegala district MP Mahinda Rajapaksa to a group of journalists who came to meet him recently.

“You do me one favour. That is, do not publish anything I say. If you publish, they will get worried and rectify their mistakes. If that happens, my plans will be spoiled. Boost PM and president as much as possible. Let things continue. I am giving you my opinion only for you to know, not to publish it,” he explained his conspiracy to the journalists.

“The businessmen who were with me and my political followers have now infiltrated. They report to me daily about what is happening. It is more successful than we though,” a cheerful Rajapaksa told them.

How did Namal who had only MP’s salary income purchase Companies paying in billions..? Namal's extortion head, Kappam Champika exposed..! Rs.20 million extorted from Deshamanya Kotalawala..!!

(Lanka-e-News -01.Oct.2015, 11.45AM) Readers will recall  , some time ago  , it was inquired how Namal Rajapakse the son of ex president Mahinda Rajapakse who was just an M.P. receiving  an M.P.’s  salary was able to buy a Helocop Co . valued at Rs.120 million , and how could he buy CNN and Gowers corporate services ?  These queries were raised by MPs like Nalin Bandara during that time.

Now Lanka e news inside information division is in receipt of information supported with evidence as to how apart from the illicit commission collections , Namal amassed this amount of wealth : it is by extortion operations (kappam ) .The head of Namal’s extortion group was Champika Karunaratne alias ‘Kappam Champika’ , it is  now  confirmed.

The extortion ring of Namal operated thus…

Champika Karunaratne alias Kappam Champika was residing in Hemel Hampstead, Hertfordshire, in the north of England during the period 2003 -2005 (pre Rajapakse reign). He was arrested  on a credit card fraud in England. Thereafter on his return to Sri Lanka (SL) he befriended  Sashindra Rajapakse and became an associate  in latter’s business activities , while being his secretary. 

Champika who is  accustomed to cheating and robbing allegedly defrauded Sashindra Rajapakse , when Sashindra  even went to the extent of trying to kill Champika  by running Sashindra’s defender vehicle over him.

Later , Champika who was not in a position to  disentangle himself from Sashindra , was subsequently introduced to Namal and Yoshitha in Colombo by Hambantota mayor  Eraj Fernando (toy pistol). During that period , Shiranthi Rajapakse who was having a grudge against  Sashindra took Champika into her fold , and made him her private secretary. Birds of a feather flock together is a universal adage. In SL however birds of a feather rob together. 

During the years 2006 to 2008, while Champika was working for Shiranthi , he unhesitatingly put through the illicit contract deals of Namal and Yoshitha .But when he realized the tasks  to be performed for Namal were excessive, he left Siranthee , and became a full time member of Namal ‘s ring. 

Namal used Champika to collect payments due to him from defaulters in Namal’s  clandestine transactions . By and by Champika was given an automatic firearm, and provided with STF security . Gradually , with the  STF security also to back them , these  secret deals of Namal transformed into mega deals which finally descended to the level of direct and open extortion operations. Champika who started extorting with Rajapakse patronage by intimidating victims showing the firearm earned the  nickname ‘Kappam Champika’ (extortion Champika) implying what alarming proportions these criminal operations reached.  The situation escalated to extorting country’s wealthy individuals directly and with impunity.

Of course , the Lion’s share of the kappam collections went  to Namal, and the balance was pocketed by Champika. This way ,Namal through kappam Champika had collected Rs. 20 million from beleaguered Deshamanya Lalith Kotalawala too  , based on reports reaching Lanka e news inside information division.

What is significant to note is, Champika Karunaratne who had only Rs. 1500.00 in his bank account when he returned from England , by 8 th January 2015 , had acquired assets including homes and hotels worth over Rs.300 million! This is apart from the 5 latest BMW vehicles he owned. Each vehicle in SL rupees fetches a price of Rs. 30 million. Mind you , Kappam Champika had paid in full and in hard cash at once ,and bought these vehicles.

If Namal Rajapakse ‘s (golaya) extortion subordinate Kappam Champika can be in pssession of so much wealth , one can imagine how much his boss ,the Gura (Namal)  would have amassed. In any event , with the operations division of gvernment of good governance gettiing wind of this information , it is probing into these  activities. Namal  the Gura having learnt of his Golaya’s probe is obviously jittery and panicky.

Namal in order to gather secret information on what action the president is going to take , has enlisted a double dealing double tongued ‘Web Gode father’  who identifies himself as of Portuguese ancestry to get close to the president . This Gode father has become a millionaire after 8 th January 2015, because part of the kappam collections were being given by Namal to line Gode father’s pockets.

No matter what , Lanka e news takes this opportunity to boldly urge those who paid extortion monies to Namal’s Kappam Champika in fear, to come forward undeterred and undaunted to pass us the information . We guarantee full confidentiality in this regard. It is only on what amount of information the public reveals ,the gravity of the punishment meted out  to these criminals will depend.

-By a special reporter of Lanka e news inside information division-

---------------------------
by     (2015-10-01 07:36:34)

Look Here, Mr. Sirisena

By Yudhanjaya Wijeratne –October 1, 2015 

Yudhanjaya Wijeratne

I’ve had a fantastic time reading all that’s being written about Daham Sirisena. The Big D, as I now think of him, is a fantastic creature. I mean, who wouldn’t want a walking, talking, Facebook-ing PR nightmare for a son, am I right?

Let’s assume for a moment that Maithripala Sirisena actually reads this blog (hah! Fat chance). Mr Sirisena, here’s a question for you:

Are you stupid?

Look at him.

Just look at him. 

This is Daham Sirisena, Public Figure.

His crowning achievements in life? 48,000 likes on Facebook, shaking hands with Narendra Modi, being the Lucky Sperm and sporadically waving a gun in someone’s face. By all the gods, is that what it takes to get into the UN? If so, hold my beer. I got this.

Look, Mr. Sirisena. A whole bunch of us voted you in; a whole bunch of us didn’t. Those who did vote for you voted not because of your heritage or your spectacles or your (disturbingly) cheery face in press photos, but because we were bloody tired of the Rajapaksa clan. You presented a much saner vision of government. You got the job.                                                                                                          Read More                                                 

A Possible rugby ban due to the cheatings of Namal and Sujani, Hemas defaulted

Oct 01, 2015

It is being revealed the foreign rugby players invited for the Carlton Seven Rugby Encounter held at Habaraduwa in 2014 has been brought violating the international sports law without obtaining a due insurance cover for the players. 

An insurance cover has been taken producing Fake documents have been exposed. Meantime Namal Rajapaksa has tried to default payment to the Hemas Southern Hospital in Galle which gave medical treatment for the players during the rugby encounter.

 

The organizers of the Carlton Rugby Sevens, is evading the payments due to the Hemas Hospital which gave a medical treatment worth Rs. 400,000 for the foreign players. 

 

Although this competition was jointly organized by the “Tharunyata Hetak” and “Ceylon Premier Sports” these companies has no legal capacity to organize such an international competition. The competition’s legal matters was organized illegally using the letter heads of the Sri Lanka Rugby Federation in which Namal Rajapaksa’s allege rugby trainer Asanga Senevirathna was the former chairman. Following that Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation has made an insurance policy worth of Rs. 12 million for the insurance of the foreign players and submitted to the Sri Lanka Rugby Federation and requested to pay the amount before the completion. CSN organizers have surreptitiously avoided the payment to the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation and obtained treatment from the Hemas Southern Hospital for injured players by showing the insurance proposal as the valid insurance policy. 

 

Following the completion of the competition when the hospital produced the bills, the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation has refused to pay citing that Carlton Sports and the Sri Lanka Rugby Federation has not obtained the due insurance policy ( However Namal Baby has able to get the sponsorship of the Insurance corporation for this competition)

 

When the Hemas Hospital informed this to the Chief Finance officer of Ceylon Premiere Sports Company Sujani Bogollagama which organized the Carlton seven rugby competitions by an email to pay the medical charges of the hospital the latter has replied that they are prepared to pay the bills. However the Carlton Sports has not paid the bills up to now and Sujani too has got disappeared after January 8th. 

 

Sujani Bogollagama is the daughter of the late Janaka Bogollagama. The latter was the coordinator for the infamous “Krish deal” which Namal Rajapaksa was alleged taking a Rs. 40 million bribe. Besides that the latter is a close ally of Namal and a lawyer working at Namal’s law firm. 

 

The grave concern of this competition is that pulling the Sri Lanka Rugby Federation into this fraud which has the right to organize and bring international players to matches within Sri Lanka. 

 

The International Rugby Board allowed this competition with a prior condition of insuring the international players before the competition. According to the documents submitted, the Sri Lanka Rugby Federation has involved to organize the Carlton Rugby Seven competition with total awareness of Namal’s rugby trainer and he chairman of Sri Lanka Rugby Federation Asanga Senevirathna. However during the legal proceedings of this financial fraud there would be grave danger of a ban imposed against Sri Lanka Rugby Federation for bringing international players and indulging them in risk without due insurance. Meantime there is a group waiting to complain this to the international Rugby Federation regarding this.

 

Due to the plundering and pillage activities of the Rajapaksa’s another hindrance would occur to Sri Lankan Rugby field similar to the insult we had baptizing the Fiji players as Sri Lankan players before. 

 

Hemas Hospital is going to take legal actions to acquire the financial loss against this fraud and planning to complain this to the Bribery and Corruption.

Hundreds of Iranian soldiers in Syria for major ground offensive: Report 

The soldiers will reportedly join Syrian government forces for ground fight while Russian warplanes attack from air 

Iranian soldiers from the Revolutionary Guards march during a military parade last month in Tehran (AFP) 

MEE staff-Thursday 1 October 2015 15:59 UTC

As Russia has started airtrikes in Syria, hundreds of Iranian soldiers preparing to join government forces in a major ground offensive have reportedly arrived in the country in the past 10 days, sources told Reuters on Thursday.

The ground offensive, according to the two Lebanese sources who talked to Reuters, will work in concert with the Russian bombardment and may be focused in the Idlib and Hama countryside. 

"They are not advisors ... we mean hundreds with equipment and weapons. They will be followed by more," a second source told Reuters.

Iraqis will also take part in the joint operation, the source said.

News of the arrival of the Iranian soldiers comes a day after Russian warplanes began to strike Syria alongside government warplanes, drawing criticism from the US, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. 

While Russia has explained its escalation of military aid to Syria in recent weeks as part of a strategy to battle the Islamic State (IS) militant group, rebel fighters, US officials and eyewitnesses told reporters on Wednesday that Russian strikes hit areas controlled by Syrian opposition fighters including al-Nusra Front.

On Thursday, the commander of the Liwa Suqour al-Jabal rebel group that has received CIA training reportedly said that one of the group's training camps in the Idlib province was hit by 20 missiles in continued Russian attacks.

Echoing the commander's comments, US Sen. John McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, told CNN that he had confirmed that Russian airstrikes were aimed at the CIA-backed fighters, not IS.

"Their initial strikes were against the individuals and the groups that have been funded and trained by our CIA, in a credible flaunting of any kind of cooperation or effort to conceal what Putin's priority is - and that is, of course, to prop up (Syrian President) Bashar Assad," McCain said.

The Free Syrian Army also said that one of its commanders, Iyad al-Deek, was killed on Wednesday by a Russian bomb dropped in Homs. 

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied reports that Russian jets had hit civilians and fighters who were not members of the Islamic State militant group.

"Talk began that civilians were hurt by airstrikes. We have no such data," Lavrov said. "We carefully make sure that these target strikes are precise."

Also on Thursday, Russian officials told the RIA Novosti state news agency that they would consider expanding their new military campaign into Iraq if Baghdad requested its assistance. 

- See more at: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hundreds-iranian-soldiers-arrive-syria-major-ground-offensive-report-158019484#sthash.yDkI7Fi2.dpuf

US-backed Syrian rebels say they have been hit by Russian airstrikes

Commander of group that has received CIA training says camp in Idlib province was struck by about 20 missiles in two separate sorties

Smoke rises after airstrikes in Talbiseh, Homs province, on Wednesday.

Kareem Shaheen in Beirut and Matthew Weaver andSaeed Kamali Dehghan in London-Thursday 1 October 2015

US-backed rebels in Syria say they were hit by Russian airstrikes on Thursday, on the second day of Russia’s air campaign over the country.

The commander of the Liwa Suqour al-Jabal rebel group, which has received training by the CIA, says a training camp in Idlib province was struck by about 20 missiles in two separate sorties.

Hassan Haj Ali, a Syrian army captain who defected after the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, said some of the guards of the facility were slightly wounded in the attack.

Lavrov: ‘Don’t listen to Pentagon about Russian strikes’

US-backed Syrian Rebels Say They Have Been Hit by Russian Airstrikes by Thavam Ratna