Enforced Disappearance: A Tamil Perspective

Picture courtesy RepublicSquare

• by Rev. Fr. Elil Rajendram SJ 
• - on 10/28/2015 

The following is Rev. Fr. Ranjendram’s speech delivered yesterday at the BMICH, commemorating the Day of the Disappeared in Sri Lanka

Members of the families of those forcibly disappeared, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I would like to thank the organising committee for the invitation to deliver this speech on Enforced Disappearance from a Tamil perspective.

Enforced Disappearance a Tamil Perspective by Thavam Ratna

“Yahapālana” Government To Attack Labor Rights

By Sumanasiri Liyanage –October 28, 2015

Sumanasiri Liyanage

Independent Trade Union Organization consisting 16 trade unions had a protest in front of the Colombo ILO office on October 26 against its support to the government to amend labor laws to make hiring and firing easier. I understand that in response to this protest, a seminar is planned by the Ministry of Labor to outline the planned labor market reforms. Former Supreme Court Judge, Ms Shiranee Tilakawardane is named in the agenda of the seminar as the key presenter and it shows she is the one who drafts new labor market reforms. It is a known fact that the previous government also tried to amend existing labor laws with regard to hiring and firing, wage determination and many other subjects claiming that new laws were required to face the new situation, globally as well as locally. It is also interesting to note that labor market reforms are one of the essential components of the neoliberal agenda that proposes all out marketization of the economy. To understand the real nature of the efforts to change labor relations, the reform agenda has to be situated in the global and local context. Finance Minister of the new ‘yaha palanaya’ government has emphasized recently that many sectors would be in the future opened for the private sector. Similarly, the present government seems to consider direct private investment as the main source of economic development in the country. Since, as we have witnessed, DFI and local private investment are slow to respond to government’s appeal to invest, it can be surmised that the government would ask for substantial loan from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to face dwindling foreign exchange reserves and to finance the fiscal deficit in 2016 budget. Private sector employers’ associations have repeatedly stressed that main obstacle for private sector investment is the existing labor laws that are, according to them, more favorable to employees. If I put it into simple language, the existing labor laws have made it difficult to fire workers when the employer needs to do so. As we all aware that Sri Lankan labor laws that were drafted and amended during the 1950s- 1970s were very much concerned over the security of the service of the employees. The famous verdict by three judges, Canekaratne, Schokman and Coomaraswamy, had reiterated this aspect of the labor regulations. (Ceylon Government Gazette –extraordinary– July 26, 1956)

                   Read More

DEAL WITH MUSLIM EXPULSION ALSO 

THROUGH GENEVA PROCESS

28 October 2015

The 25th year of the mass expulsion of Muslim people resident in the north by the LTTE falls this October. The eviction of the 90,000 strong northern Muslim population continues to be a humanitarian and political problem of national proportions. An estimated 80 percent of them continue to live outside their original places of residence. However, the problems faced by this section of the Sri Lankan population and finding a just solution have not been given either the public attention or priority that it deserves. The government’s decision to co-sponsor the UN Human Rights Council resolution on Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka provides an opportunity for the country, and the international human rights community, to come to terms with this problem and find a just solution.

The National Peace Council welcomes, and appreciates, the introspective and self critical statement of the Tamil National Alliance which was chosen by a large majority of Tamil people in the north and east at the recent general elections. The TNA stated in its response to the UN Human Rights Council investigation report that "We also accept and undertake to carry out our responsibility to lead the Tamil people in reflecting on the past, and use this moment as a moment of introspection into our own community’s failures and the unspeakable crimes committed in our name, so as to create an enabling culture and atmosphere in which we could live with dignity and self-respect, as equal citizens of Sri Lanka." The National Peace Council believes that this call needs to be appreciated, emulated, and taken on by the government, other political parties, by opinion formers and leaders of each of the Sri Lankan ethnic and religious communities and the international human rights community also.

Even today, six years after the end of the war the fact that so large a proportion of Muslim people who were displaced in 1990 remain in temporary residences is an indictment on the justice and reconciliation process in the country. This is in violation of their right to return, which is accorded to them by the international covenants that Sri Lanka has signed. The failure of the successive governments to vindicate their right to return has led to ad hoc resettlements that have exacerbated inter-community tensions. Recently the issue of resettlement of displaced Muslims took on controversial proportions and was linked to the alleged encroachment of the Wilpattu National Park.

The government’s decision to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), a judicial mechanism for accountability with international participation and an office of reparations provides the basis for a just solution that will be in accordance with international standards. This includes the expulsion of the Muslims and their continued inability in practice to exercise their right of return. The National Peace Council calls on the government to ensure that the mandate of the TRC extends beyond the period 2002-09 which was the limited time frame of the investigation report of the UN Human Rights Council. It needs to go back in time to cover the events of the expulsion of the Muslims of the north in 1990 and also beyond to cover other serious human rights violations that occurred in the course of the war so that injustices that occurred to all communities are taken into account and remedies found.

Governing Council
The National Peace Council is an independent and non partisan organization that works towards a negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. It has a vision of a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka in which the freedom, human rights and democratic rights of all the communities are respected. The policy of the National Peace Council is determined by its Governing Council of 20 members who are drawn from diverse walks of life and belong to all the main ethnic and religious communities in the country.

Video: Magistrate awaits AG's permission

 

2015-10-28
Colombo Additional Magistrate Amila Ariyasena today rejected a bail appeal by Tamil prisoners, who were in remand prison for alleged terrorist involvement, since the Attorney General’s report on them was not received by the TID of the Police.

The Magistrate made this order considering the submission made by Counsel Senaka Perera and Thushara N. Dasun for the suspects, who contended that the suspects had been in remand custody for more than 18 months without being charged.

The Counsel also submitted that there were precedents, where bail had been given previously.

However, the Magistrate asserted that it was essential to consider the Attorney General’s opinion, since the matter concerned the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The TID told Magistrate that investigations were already concluded and the extracts of the investigations had been sent to the Attorney General for his opinion.

But they had still not received it. The case was postponed for November 11. (Shehan Chamika Silva) - See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/92979/magistrate-awaits-ag-s-permission#sthash.tvqj40Yw.dpuf

HNB’s phobia against employees’ social media cured by district court – lesson to other maniacs too !

(Lanka-e-News -28.Oct.2015, 10.00PM) The Hatton National bank (HNB) which prohibited  its employees  under its ‘social media policy of HNB,’to access the social media chain thereby  transgressing  the fundamental laws of the country was issued an enjoining order by the Colombo district court judge  T.D. Gunasekera. This verdict must be an eye opener to other maniacal chiefs of Institutions too who are suffering from social media phobia.

The grounds supporting this enjoining order are as follows :

Sections 9 and 10 of the HNB social media  policy code stipulates that all HNB bank employees should abide by the code , and that access to social media is only a privilege accorded by the bank to its employees , and not a right the employees are entitled to. This privilege can be withdrawn by the bank any time , it adds . 

What is most obnoxious about these provisions is , the Bank’s social media  policy code goes on to further state that the employees should access the social media least not only during  office working hours , but even in their private time.

Another provision that is  equally or more abominable  is : exchange of political and religious views shall be avoided , and if those with whom such exchanges made are  HNB customers or rivals , prior permission shall be obtained from the HNB authority in that regard.

Truly speaking , this policy code is an index that despite the Bank ‘s glamor and glitter to attract customers , the bank is still in the stone age and in the litter bin  owing to its social media policy code restricting the fundamental rights of its employees . 

Under these  circumstances , any employee can be found liable by the bank at any time , and recently four employees of the bank were taken to task  for making comments in the face book by the HNB administrative authority , and disciplinary action was taken against them. 

However the Bank union which took action against this by seeking court redress was successful , with the district  court delivering an enjoining order on the bank to refrain from implementing  the HNB social media policy, until the case is tried.  

Harsha Soysa P.C. appearing on behalf of the HNB bank union observed that by this so called Social media policy code of HNB , the rights to free thinking , freedom of  conscience, religious freedom , freedom of expression , freedom of language ,social freedom and so forth which are conferred on the people by the supreme constitution are being violated, and therefore he prayed for a declaration from the court that this social media policy code is illegal and invalid in law.

The district court judge T.D. Gunasekera  accepting the submissions made by  Harsha Soysa P.C. prohibited the bank from imposing the ban on the access to social media by its employees for 14 days , while fixing the date of trial for  the 6 th of November .

This decision of the district court should serve as a warning red light to the chiefs of Government and private Institutions who are suffering from social media phobia . This court verdict once again underlines that Institutions should introduce their rules and regulations  in conformity with the country’s fundamental laws and legal framework, and not in violation of them.

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by     (2015-10-28 16:47:07)

A clue to finance minister on container scanning project!

Oct 28, 2015

Five leading international companies have submitted bids for the Build, operate and transfer (BOT) container scanning project in Sri Lanka. All these companies have handed over their expressions of interest (EOI) for the project. This project needs special expertise, and Germany’s Smith Detection, Canada’s Visual Defence System and three others have expressed a desire to start the project.

The EOIs were called during the final stage of the Rajapaksa regime, and after the new government came to power, the task was suspended, pending the general election, with finance minister Ravi Karunanayake giving instructions for a fresh appraisal of the submissions.

On his instructions, a committee has been tasked with preparing the necessary specifications. This committee comprises a professor of the Moratuwa University and an individual by the name Rupananda. This Rupananda is the Sri Lanka agent for the German company Smith Detection. He and the professor have prepared the specifications to suit this company. This is an act like setting a thief to catch a thief, say the other parties involved. They are going to lodge a complaint to the finance minister.

WAITING IN A QUAGMIRE

MR ‘Dodges’ debate on Geneva resolution at the eleventh hour

President calls for written submissions from parties over war crimes inquiry

Rasika Jayakody-Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is now caught up in a situation where he has to have the cake and eat the cake.

He was scheduled to express his views in Parliament, representing the UPFA, when the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka was taken up for debate in the country’s legislature. Many were expecting the “war winning President” to share his views on the pros and cons of the resolution of which Sri Lanka too was a co-sponsor.

Waiting in a Quagmire by Thavam Ratna

Impunity In The Broader Sri Lankan Sense

By S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole –October 28, 2015

Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole

Denial of Impunity a Must

Our everyday conversation focuses on impunity for the soldiers who are responsible for massacres. I am absolutely convinced that for proven crimes, punishment is a must. It is a deterrent and gives safety and assurance to victims and others that there will be no recurrence. It makes victims’ families feel they are equal citizens and promotes reconciliation. However, to be sure, that principle that crime requires punishment needs wide application and not just to errant soldiers.

In Sri Lanka – Impunity for all in Authority

If we look around, we will see that offering impunity to our bigwigs is our style of operation and it must change. In the church, at the Deaf and Blind School in Jaffna, when the Principal was caught abusing girls, a few priests are said to have hired a van and gone to Colombo to plead with the Bishop to spare the man. Thankfully, the police moved and he ended up in Jail. In Batticaloa, a senior priest used funds for refugees and orphans to build his empire and take a different orphan girl to Colombo on each trip to Colombo. Even after the police took him into custody, the elders of the church including many so-called progressives wanted him as the next bishop of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India. It only mattered that he had status. Thankfully, there is God above the princes and royal families of the church.

At the University of Jaffna, a senior lecturer in music and Department Head was harassing girls. He was protected by the VC for well over 4 years despite numerous complaints and a preliminary report by the Council wanting formal charges framed. The VC finally moved to charge him only when students tended to violence. And yet, at last week’s Saraswati Pooja festivities at a dance and music school on Navalar Road, this interdicted man was the Chief Guest. Status is all that counts. Your status guarantees immunity from prosecution.

Brazen Impunity at Peradeniya                                         Read More

south african type controversy in sl

2015-10-28

"I and my family members have no secret accounts in Dubai banks,"said the Rajapaksa 'Crown Prince' Namal when the media published reports about a secret account in a Dubai bank of a son of a VVIP. The media reports stated that the Sri Lankan Government had sought details of that account from the Dubai Government, while seeking assistance from a Dubai Court. The reports claimed that the Dubai bank in question had refused to freeze the VVIP son's account. On the contrary, Attorney-at-Law J.C. Weliamuna who assists to detect details of this account rejected such media reports claiming such were false. He said publication of such false news could hamper the investigations. It is now clear that those news reports had caused a hindrance to the investigations regarding that secret bank account. Therefore, eyebrows are now raised as to whether those news reports were published at the instigation of some interested parties to mislead the probe.

South Africa
Almost every country that is probing such secret bank accounts of prominent politicians is faced with obstacles of that nature. There are many examples in that regard. A similar story emanated from South Africa last year. It is as follows: "The mystery Gigaba bank account" – "The Mail & Guardian was reliably informed that State security agents probed the account opened in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, when Gigaba was still public Enterprises Minister.

State Security Spokesperson Brian Dube on Thursday denied that there was ever any investigation, but three highly reliable sources confirmed that there was such a probe. They are:
• An intelligence agent with intimate knowledge of the issue, but not allowed to speak to the media;
• A member of the country's national executive, who refused to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter and described the probe as 'an informal investigation'; and
• A senior executive of a government entity who was briefed about the investigations. He also asked not to be named.
Gigaba's spokesperson, Thabo Mokgola, on Thursday said the minister had no knowledge of such investigations and 'denies any knowledge of the account'.

However, a source close to the minister said Gigaba had told those close to him that attacks on him were politically motivated, given his high profile and position in government. Gigaba apparently told State security agents that the account was opened by one of his officials without his knowledge. But banking and security insiders have indicated that it is difficult, if not impossible, for anyone to open an offshore account using a person's name without their knowledge, and that this could amount to fraud.
The member of the national executive told the M&G that the Home Affairs Minister was first alerted to the investigation against him 'some time last year' and that he is yet to see 'any proof' that the account indeed exists. But Gigaba apparently told the State Security Agency to make sure that whoever opened the offshore account in his name must 'face the music'. 'How could anybody go to Dubai and open an account in his name?' asked the national executive member. 'He has no offshore account and has never asked anybody to open it. What money is to be stashed outside the country?' He apparently said he was willing to take responsibility should he be found to have done something wrong, but that he needs to be protected if someone has done wrong using his name. Those sympathetic to Gigaba claimed that the allegations and the investigations are part of a wider plot to smear the minister.

Before 2007, Gigaba – a past ANC Youth League President – was seen as part of former President Thabo Mbeki's rising young stars and inner circle. Mbeki appointed him Deputy Home Affairs Minister in 2004. But after Mbeki was defeated as party leader by Zuma in 2007 and ousted as the country's President in 2008, Gigaba – and a few of the so-called Mbeki sympathizers – survived and he became a minister of two crucial portfolios in the Zuma Presidency.
Like most other countries with cordial relations with the United States, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has significantly improved its systems to detect and combat money laundering since 2001. And, like other countries in the Middle East, the UAE is particularly sensitive even to the accusation that funds passing through its territory could end up funding terrorism. Banks in Dubai have customer due diligence requirements not unlike the know-your-customer provisions in South Africa: a new account requires positive identification, proof of address and proof of the source of income".

Swiss banks
At present, the demand for secret bank accounts in Swiss banks has reduced. That is because Swiss banks have entered into agreements with America and the European Union regarding secret accounts. The non-payment of tax on issues regarding terrorism by America led the European Union to appeal to Swiss banks to provide details of secret accounts held by those in their countries. As a result funds hidden through the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation in Swiss banks by world famous politicians surfaced. Among them were Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Tunisian President Ben Ali and Syrian Leader Al Ashad. The others included some past and present politicians in India. Therefore, most of today's Leaders are reported hiding plundered money in banks in Dubai and Singapore.

When President Maithripala Sirisena went to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived to meet him in the company of the Financial Intelligence Chief who is probing the issue of stolen money hidden in overseas banks by top men in the then Rajapaksa administration. "Don't worry, we will help to trace the monies that were stolen from your country", assured Kerry to Maithri.

Loku Seeya murder via white van of Rajapakses-4 years gone by –none arrested yet -Chooti Seeya writes to the highest in the hierarchy

(Lanka-e-News -28.Oct.2015, 1.45PM) Exactly 4 years ago today ,Loku Seeya alias M.S.M. Niyaz , the Ragama Devale rituals performer  was killed brutally after abducting him at Shell gas high security zone , Wattala. He was killed most ruthlessly after being tortured by subjecting him to electric treatment 7 times , and strangling him .Sadly even after four years have elapsed, nobody has been  arrested even though there is copious and cogent evidence.

Of the thousands who were abducted in the white  Van and killed by the  Rajapakse regime, it was only in the murder of Loku Seeya the body was discovered . Along with his body were found a rope,net and some portion of artillery weapon  belonging to the Navy.

An ex minister Mervyn Silva furnished copious evidence to the CID in connection with this ghastly murder. Despite this , the investigation into the murder of Loku Seeya seems to be stranded at one point. M.N.M.Hijaz alias Chooti Seeya ,the son of Loku Seeya , had sent letters separately to the Presidential commission inquiring into special crimes, and minister of justice Wijedasa Rajapakse explaining that the murderers of this brutal murder continuing to be scot free is a threat to their lives. 

In the sorrowful letter adressed to the minister of justice , it is elaborated thus :

On 27 th October 2011 at about 6.15 p.m. an armed group in a white van arrived at   Gunasekera Mawatha , Mahabage police division , and  went to Kerawalapitiya Shell Gas high security zone . Later , my father’s tied body was found on the shore off the sea of Badhur town , Akkaraipatu.

 Based on CID investigations , the rope used to tie the body ,net etc.belong to the Navy.Three injection vials that cause unconsciousness  used by the security divisions , and available only in a few hospitals , and a portion of the artillery weapon were found along with the body of my father .

Mrevyn Silva in his statement to the CID had complained that this is a murder committed by the Navy , army and police special task force jointly on the instructions and advice of the then defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse.

Might I inform that ex minister Felix Perera , present Jaela local body chairman Lalith Nishantha Abeywickrema and the Sugatharama Vihara chief incumbent Ven Thuruwila Viladhamma Thera were behind this murder and was committed based on a conspiracy with their knowledge.

At  the time when my father’s body was discovered ,Felix Perera and Lalith Nishantha were touring the district where the body was found. That is a ground  for  suspicion.The post mortem examination revealed that my father was subjected to electric shock treatment 7 times before he was killed and he was strangled.Can such brutal torture be inflicted by anybody other than  the security divisions? This is a most brutal murder committed using  state resources and state officers .

My father did yeoman service  to the residents of Ragama and the people of Sri Lanka while being engaged in  performing main rituals at Ragama maha Devale.Following his death, the public suffered loss  beyond measure. My father had served  even foreign Kings , and he earned fame for the country.  

The publicised voice tape in respect of this conspiracy , CD and  documents had been forwarded to the responsible Institutions , and the response received are in our possession. At the necessary moment those can be submitted along with the originals.

What is intriguing is , even after four long years have elapsed since this ghastly murder was committed, and the lady magistrate  ordered that the investigations be expedited , and also made several requests to arrest the suspects , it appears no suspect will  be arrested based on the available evidence and statements recorded. While urging to expedite the investigation , since the murderers are still free , our lives are at stake .We therefore  humbly beg  that state security be made available  to us .

Yours faithfully,

M.N.M. Hijaas alias Chooti Seeya ,
son of Loku Seeya , assistant ‘Devagathi’ at Ragama Maha Devale who was murdered  

Copies :
His Excellency the President
Hon. Prime Minister
Hon. Minister of Prisons reform , law and order
Secretary to Hon. Minister of defense
The IGP
President of the Human rights Commission.

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by     (2015-10-28 08:27:25)

Ministers, deal strikers in London for rugby matches!

Oct 28, 2015

Several ministers of the ‘Yaya Paalana’ government are in London to watch the Rugby World Cup being hosted by the United Kingdom. They will be there for Saturday’s (31) final between New Zealand and Australia.

They include telecommunications minister Harin Fernando, international trade minister Malik Samarawickrama and state minister of defence Ruwan Wijewardena. Without their knowledge, several notorious deal strikers in Sri Lanka have booked rooms in the same hotels being occupied by these ministers. Tickets for the final are being sold at prices between 1,500 pound sterling and 3,000 pound sterling. That is approximately 600,000 Sri Lankan rupees. These deal strikers are willingly buying tickets for family members of the ministers, say reliable sources.

Their main target is telecommunications and digital infrastructure minister Harin Fernando. Sales representatives of several telecommunication companies and their brokers have become a big headache for him, say sources close to him. Foremost among them is Lyca Mobile owner Subhaskaran Alliraja and his brokers.

Alliraja had struck many a deal with the Rajapaksa regime. He is good at netting within a very short time anyone gaining power. Whenever Namal and other Rajapaksas visited London, it was Alliraja who had provided them all the facilities. After striking deals with the Rajapaksa regime, he became close to president’s son Daham Sirisena as soon as the ‘Yaha Paalana’ regime came to power. However, the president acted immediately and got his son back home. Without stopping there, Alliraja then tried to get close to former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. She was the chief guest at the opening of a housing project in Vavuniya carried out by him recently.

Some time ago, Britain’s BuzzFeed UK, involved in investigative journalism, made a detailed revelation about Alliraja. In response, he has asked from the British media, “If I am a cheat, will a person like former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga, who abhors corruption, come to open my project?” That is how Alliraja sold Chandrika without her knowing it. Also present at the opening of the project were agriculture minister Duminda Dissanayake and port and shipping minister Arjuna Ranatunga.

Meanwhile, finance minister Ravi Karunanayake is in London to take part in a programme being organized by the London and Colombo stock exchanges tomorrow (29). It will take place at Hotel Savoy in London.

35 New Sri Lankan MPs Ready to Shoot; Speaker at Dark!

B,C------MR-----------------------------------------------------MS-------------------A,C

28/10/2015

The Police Special Task Force (STF) organized a firearms training session at the Katukurunda Police STF Academy Grounds for newly elected parliamentarians without any knowledge of the Speaker of the parliament according to media reports in Colombo.

A senior Police source had told Ceylon Today, that 35 newly elected parliamentarians participated at the training session yesterday (27) at the Academy Grounds inspected by Ranjith Perera of the Police STF. The session will continue today (28) .

The training sessions will train individuals on the basic use of pistols and automatic revolvers.

Meanwhile The Island reports Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, MP,  denying  any knowledge of a group of newly appointed members seeking personal protection weapons.

Speaker Jayasuriya had further said that he had not been consulted in that regard. When it was pointed out that there couldn’t be any justifiable reason for arming members over six years after the conclusion of the war, Speaker Jayasuriya said that issuance of weapons seemed a continuation of a long standing practice.

Former President JR Jayewardene authorised weapons for members in the wake of the second JVP-led insurgency in the late 80s. The then UNP administration also issued weapons to Provincial Council members as well as selected local government members, reports The Island.

A senior parliamentary official had told The Island  that any member wanting to acquire a weapon had to provide a letter from Parliament to the Defence Ministry to justify his or her claim. Asked whether the parliament bear the responsibility for recovering weapons issued to defeated members of parliament, the official stressed that Parliament was not involved in the process.

Rajapaksas’ Deniyaya Palace And Underground Bunker Also To Be Investigated

October 28, 2015

The government has launched an investigation to find out whether material supposedly meant to build the Hamanatota Port project was used to build the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa‘s Deniyaya Palace, Colombo Telegraph reliably learns.

“The material used to build this house was transported in heavy vehicles belonging to the ‘Maga Neguma’ project. It is now being investigated if the material used to build this house and its underground bunker on a 40 acre property in Nathagala Estate Deniyaya was part of the Chinese funded material intended for the construction of the Hamabantota port. The said property was purchased by one of the sisters of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa” a source close to Prime Minister’s confidante the Ministry of Southern Development, Sagala Ratnayaka told Colombo Telegraph.

Incidentally three journalists who were tipped off and went to investigate this project then, was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in October of 2009.              Read More

Justice Malalgoda denies allegations

October 28, 2015

Justice Vijith Malalgoda has entirely denied allegations leveled against him by a website that he accepts dollars from the Rajapaksas in a bid to influence the judgments and decisions he makes, Ada Derana court reporter says.

The observation was made when the Writ Application filed against former Tamil Tiger rebel leader Shanmugam Kumaran Tharmalingam alias Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP) was taken-up for hearing at the Court of Appeal this morning (28).

“I totally deny these allegations,” Justice Malalgoda has said.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Department submitted a comprehensive report with respect to the Writ Application, Ada Derana reporter added.  Earlier, the Court informed the AG to submit the investigation report on KP who was one time LTTE’s arms procurement wing leader and ‘international secretariat’.

The Court on February 05 had also issued an Interim Order and directed the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to prevent KP from leaving the country. 

The Writ Application was filed by Parliamentarian and Propaganda Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Vijitha Herath. The respondents for the case include the Army Commander, Inspector General of Police, and Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Department.

Is the Prime Minister's brother Channi looking to make a quick buck? 

Oct 28, 2015

Channi Wickramasinghe the Prime Minister's younger brother is not a patch on his seniors.

His businesses were once about to be taken over by creditors for bad management, fortunately Minister Daya Gamege bailed him out.

His association with the notorious Abeya, Alias taxi Abe was a embarrassment for the Wickramasinghe family. Channi was keen to get into the administration but common sense prevailed and he was left out on the advise of a UNP leader, saying he would become a liability .

Instead he is now looking to front government contracts by selling the PMs name. Mr Wickremesinghe must realize the Prime Minister is part of a team and the Head is not the Prime Minister, but the President .

He has attempted to put pressure on two state banks according to reliable sources to fund his projects which were politely turned down and conveyed to the President. He is seen often in hotels with wheeler dealers like Noel Selvanayegem and Sumal Perera talking business.

Noel Sevanayagem of Senok fame discredited the Prime Minister by misusing funds given for a Hospital in Galle by a NGO in Germany introduced by the Prime Minister.

The building was never completed. Wickramasinge should go and see for himself. Mr Selvanayagem abandoned the Prime Minister and did business with the former regime and even traveled with the former president all over the world.

Party sources say Channi Wickramasinge is selling the Prime Minister's name to strike a big deal and that can surely discredit the the Prime Minister and the Government. Mr Wickremesinghe must know the UNP is not owned by the Wickremesinghes, but by the millions of members all the round the country.

Good Governance Group

Now,Yahapalana minister, Mahinda’s brother-in-law before probe commission

*SriLankan Catering probe

By Shamindra Ferdinando-October 27, 2015, 9:24 pm 

Law and Order and Prisons Reforms Minister Priyankara Jayaratne has been summoned by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources, and Privileges (PRECIFAC).

The Commission plans to question Minister Jayaratne on Oct. 30 at the BMICH where the powerful body conducts investigations.

Commission sources told The Island that Minister Jayaratne’s statement had to be recorded in connection with an on-going high profile investigation into SriLankan Catering during the previous administration. The Puttalam District MP had been responsible for SriLankan Catering in his capacity as the then Aviation Minister.

Asked whether any other person had been summoned along with Jayaratne, sources said that former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s brother, Nishantha Wickremasinghe, the then SriLankan Airlines Chairman had been called to testify.

Sources said the police were seeking to establish a connection between the Minister and the former SriLankan Chairman. A successful investigation would lead to a public hearing by the PRECIFAC comprising four High Court judges namely Preethi Padman Surasena (Chairman), Amendra Seneviratne, Vikum Kaluarachchi, Gihan Kulathunga and former Auditor General P. A. Premathilake. The Attorney General’s Department is represented by Senior State Counsel Sudarshana de Silva and Janaka Bandara.

Responding to a question, sources said that Minister Jayaratne would be the first serving minister to be summoned by the PRECIFAC.

Having backed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s candidature as the UPFA’s prime ministerial candidate at the Aug. 17 parliamentary polls, Jayaratne switched his allegiance to President Maithripala Sirisena.

SriLankan Catering had been also subject to a special investigation by attorney-at-law J.C. Weliamuna. The probe into SriLankan Catering is being carried out in accordance with an overall investigation into SriLankan Airlines.

Sources said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, too, had been asked to be present on Oct. 29 and 30 regarding the on-going public hearing as regards non-payment of over Rs100 mn owed to the ITN for presidential polls campaign.