Duplicity Of Northern Resettlement: Is The Hate Campaign Back?

Image courtesy Young Asia Television

• by Hilmy Ahamed 
• - on 01/20/2016 

The Head of Bodu Bala Sena, Venerable Galabode Aththe Gnanasara Thero, in a statement after meeting with President Sirisena admitted that the previous government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa colonized the North with alien Sinhalese. He claimed that 4500 Sinhala families who were settled in Bogas wewa during the time of the previous government are leaving the colonized area and going back to their original homes. The reason for their abandonment may be linked to their security concerns. Ven. Gnanasara Thero also claims that these lands were cleared for settlement of Sinhalese by the tri-forces, implying that the armed forces were used to colonize large areas in the Northern province. In addition to the 4500 families settled in Bogas wewa, there are many others who have been granted land and other support in Veratenna, Namalgama, Senaleenigama and Nandamitragama. People of this area insist that all these Sinhala migrants who were brought to the North are from Hambantota and Suriyawewa, from the former President, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s district.

Ven. Gnanasara Thero also revealed that President Maithripala Sirisena had directed the Commander of the army to provide security to the new settlers of Bogas Wewa. Did the armed forces clear virgin forestland to colonize this area with Sinhalese, or did these lands belong to people who have been living there for generations?

President Sirisena, an avid environmental protectionist, claimed that Muslim IDPs returning to their own lands after 20 years from refugee camps have cleared jungles and encroached forest reservations. How can the President encourage colonization and settlement of ‘alien’ Sinhala migrants in the North when he has claimed that the Muslim IDPs who were forcibly evicted from their homes by the fascist LTTE and were compelled to live in refugee camps for over 20 years cannot return to their own land due to the Government’s controversial declaration of forest reservations in 2012. This declaration was made as a knee jerk reaction prior to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections to deprive the NPC of its land rights. Under this declaration, large extents of Muslim owned lands too were brought under the forest ordinance, as there was some forest growth during the 20-year displacement of the Muslims. Yet, it was their private land where they lived and cultivated prior to their eviction.  The LTTE and the armed forces did not allow the Muslims to return to their homes and clear the shrub which had grown over their land during the war.  How can the declaration of these lands as forests be justified because it was overgrown with shrub in their absence due to their forced eviction from their homes, and their subsequent inability to return during the war?

The former administration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is also accused of amending the Forest Ordinance and declaring large extents of lands in the Northern province as forest reserves through Global Positioning System (GPS) Mapping even without consulting the Divisional Secretaries of the area. This was believed to be a deliberate attempt to deprive the Northern Provincial Council (which the Mahinda Rajapaksa government knew would lose to the TNA) the extensive land powers which are vested to them in the Provincial Councils.  A case in point is the Muslims who had lived in Musali South not being allowed to return to their lands, as their lands were not identified as private property in this mapping due to their displacement in various camps across the country.

The controversy of the Muslim IDP resettlement continues with Environmentalists claiming that it is an encroachment into Wilpattu, Buddhist extremists calling it colonization by a Muslim minister and the armed forces continue to hold large extents of land as high security zones. Some accuse the Government of keeping this land with the armed forces to settle more Sinhalese for strategic reasons.

Regrettably, the Environmentalists first claimed that these settlements of the returnees were in lands that belong to the Wilpattu National Reserve, and when it was proven beyond any reasonable doubt that Wilpattu was far away from these settlements, they changed it to imply that the Muslims have encroached into the Kal Aru reservation. The Kal Aru or Uppu (salt) river that flows through Muslim lands is only a mere 2 kilometers away from the sea. Hence there is no need to have reservations for the Kala Aru river in this area as the water flows unutilized in to the sea. This particular river is only a seasonal river and goes dry during most of the year. The water, when it passes Marichikatti village flows straight in to the sea.  So why do they fuss so much about Kal Aru?

The returning Muslim IDPs have in their possession title deeds to their lands in Musali south that have been issued under the seal of King Edward the seventh of England in 1906. One of these deeds is for a property that is adjoining the Kal Aru river that is only a few meters away from the border of the Wilpattu National Wildlife Reserve. Yet, the current resettlement of the Musali Muslims that was approved by the former governments’ powerful Presidential Task Force (PTF) is 1.25 Kilometers away from the Wilpattu National Reserve.

The Bodu Bala Sena and other extremist Buddhists needed a platform for their foray in to politics. They used racism and hate to draw the attention of mainstream media. Their electoral rejection in August 2015 has left them as orphans and they now need a new platform to relaunch their campaign. Today, they are attempting to piggyback on President Maithripala Sirisena to return to the limelight, speaking about safeguarding the Sinhala race and the Sasanaya.  He should remember that he is the President of all Sri Lankans, and that it is the right of all citizens to be treated equally and fairly. The President should be aware that little drops that came in as minority votes for him made the mighty ocean that toppled the giant Mahinda Rajapaksa from the Presidency. History should not repeat itself this time.

Rajapaksa Presidential Campaign: Court calls for Auditor General’s Report Over Sil Redi Distribution

20/01/2016

The Supreme Court yesterday called for the Auditor General’s report pertaining to distribution of “Sil Redi” (fabrics used by devotees to observe sill) during the 2015 Presidential election campaign and directed the Attorney General to submit the concerned report in Court on or before March 31.

The Supreme Court two-Judge-Bench comprising Chief Justice K. Sripavan and Justice Sisira de Abrew made this direction in connection with a fundamental rights petition filed challenging the distribution of “Sil Redi” during the Presidential election campaign in support of one particular candidate.

The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) and its Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi had filed this petition before the Supreme Court seeking an order directing anyone or more of the respondents to take legal action (disciplinary, criminal or any other) against those who had

violated the law with regard to public property and caused losses to the state during the period pertaining to the Presidential election 2015 campaign.

In this petition, the Elections Commissioner, Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Inspector General of Police N.K. Illangakoon, Director General of the Road Development Authority, Director General of Central Cultural Fund, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, the Auditor General, former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and the Attorney General were named as the respondents.

The petitioners stated that the PAFFREL had participated in monitoring all elections since 1987 and thereafter the commissioner of Election has regularly invited the first petitioner to be an election monitor.

The petitioners stated that under Article 28(d) of the Constitution, it is the duty of every person in Sri Lanka to preserve and protect public property and to combat misuse and waste of public property. The petitioners further stated that “Sil Redi” were distributed all over the island during the election campaign in supportive of one particular candidate.

The petitioners further sated that in the”Sil Redi” pack there was a leaflet promoting a particular presidential candidate and they were distributed for over 800,000 persons all over the island.

The petitioners moved to declare that one or more of the respondents have violated the fundamental rights of petitioners guaranteed under Article 12(1) of the Constitution.

Lakmal Sooriyagoda /DN

Investing In An Educated Society

By Rajan Hoole –January 20, 2016

Dr. Rajan Hoole

The presidential election result that ushered in new hope on 8th January 2015 came about because many in this country felt that we were in a hopeless rut and wanted change badly. The issues around which the change was mooted were centred on corruption, state accountability, and freedom of expression untrammelled by fear and intimidation. In the latter which, for Immanuel Kant, is the pivotal freedom under which democratic change could be pursued, there has been enormous relief. The main challenge is to consolidate the gains, which requires far-reaching institutional transformation.

What transpired on 8th January was an opportunity for change, not a revolution. We still have to contend with the same state structures, the same administration and practically the same MPs. The minorities, who are more sensitive and expected to see benign change towards efficiency and professionalism, frequently encounter the same obstacles. There is no revolutionary solution to such dilemmas. Lenin replaced the Tsarist administration with party functionaries, who became corrupt soon enough; the result was the Kronstadt uprising of 1921 which almost wrecked the Soviet regime. The post-apartheid government in South Africa showed considerable wisdom in trying slowly to transform the old regime’s institutions by putting in place committed persons who would act wisely without giving undue offence. That required a Nelson Mandela.

While the challenges confronting us are enormous, one does not see the necessary bold initiative to challenge institutional decadence that is only too evident. One instance is the shying away from a uniform standard for those under arms who committed crimes. It is a dangerous fallacy to divide them into heroes and terrorists, which is evident in the failure to find a way to release quickly, Tamil PTA detainees who have been languishing many years without charges.

Such disregard for the legal rights of others, or the common courtesy owed to them, are symptoms of a closed society mired in identity politics from before independence. The record we have of Lankan history is one of remarkable tolerance and a willingness to learn and benefit from others from the earliest times on record, in contrast to the religious violence against Jews in Europe at the onset of the Crusades. Lanka, if it is to become a great nation, needs to go much further than technical compliance with pledges made to the UN. It needs to be in earnest about uniting the country behind a common purpose, which requires the healing of past wrongs and complete openness.

Much of our conflict, and the mass murder it witnessed, has behind it the use of history to make claims to land, to mount religious edifices and to exclude others. The State set the precedent and the disease of claims and exclusions becomes an infectious game played by all comers. To cite a typical instance, once our scholars identified Fort Frederick in Trincomalee as the site of Gokanna Vihare in the Mahavamsa through absurdly flawed historical reasoning, based on occurrence of the generic name in contexts far apart in time; it provided the Army, other state institutions and assorted patriots the pretext to turn the area into a ‘historic’ Buddhist location. The contribution of such follies to the making of the ethnic war, and the tragedy of superfluous heroes on both sides, cannot be exaggerated. We have to heal ourselves by changing our attitudes. There is little the UN or a foreign government can do to help in this regard.Read More

A constitution is only as good as its society

Wednesday, 20 January 2016

These are not ideal times for constitutional changes, in Sri Lanka in particular. There is still too much meanness and the atmosphere is still racially charged. But we may not have another chance. The present national government, strange beast as it may seem, is still our best chance for reforms

The spirit of a constitution is in its in preamble. A preamble is essentially a summary of the constitution that lays out the objectives in a lofty language. Most constitutions have justice, equality, freedom, etc. as objectives. Even the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979, the de facto Constitution of Zimbabwe which was effective until 2013, list similar objectives.

Zimbabwe is evidence that good constitutional objectives do not make a good society. First, the mechanics of implementation contained in the body of the constitution has to jive with the lofty objectives in the Preamble. More importantly, the society that ultimately determines the course of their constitution in action has to value those attributes. If justice, equality, etc. is not part of the culture of a society, despots with popular appeal can hijack even the best constitution. 

As Mat Ridley argues in his book, ‘The Evolution of Everything,’ humans are continuing to evolve with values that lead to societies that are more just and free than their precedents. Ups and downs are possible in particular places or periods of time, but the overall trend in the human race has been towards less violence and more cooperation. 

In this paper I argue that, at this particular juncture in Sri Lankan society, constitutional reforms may be needed to fix some of the functional aspects of governing, but for true progress we need leaders in political and non-political space, including media and civil society, to nudge people to rediscover their inherent human values. 

1. Preambles and objectives therein   READ MORE

All notices should be in all three languages

2016-01-20 20


Laws would be strictly implemented against the public institutions, which do not display public notices in all three languages, the Department of Official Languages today said.

Commissioner of the Department W. A. Jayawickrama said they had already informed all public institutes of the need to have notices in all three languages.

“They generally have notices in Sinhala and English and in some places just in one language. The law clearly states that public notices should be in all three languages,” he said.

The Department informed the National Transport Board, drivers at three wheeler parks, local government bodies, the Road Development Authority and a number of hospitals to have name boards, signs and notices in all three languages, in accordance with the law.

He said a unit to provide notices in all three languages to government institutions and private entities would be set up soon.

Earlier, the Department had provided the stencils and translations of notices in all three languages free of charge for those who needed the service. - See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/103583/all-notices-should-be-in-all-three-languages#sthash.HBjQ0r4D.dpuf

Constitutional Changes - Muslim politicians’ 

indifference

By Latheef Farook : -December 18, 2015 ·

Intense discussions have been underway ever since the government announced its decision to bring about constitutional changes. Numerous seminars, symposiums and open discussions were held by various interested groups from all communities to ensure their rights in the proposed constitution.

Emphasizing the need to ensure the rights of all communities President Maithripala Sirisena said, “We must safeguard the rights of all communities, to prevent re-emergence of terrorism.”

Constitutional Changes - Muslim Politicians’ Indifference by Thavam Ratna

The Liberal Party After 29 Years

By Kamal Nissanka –January 20, 2016

Kamal Nissanka

The Liberal Party (Sri Lanka) was formed on 19.01.1987 in Colombo. It was a period of great unrest both in Southern and Northern Sri Lanka owing to two insurrections. Both these insurrections though had peculiar characteristics were a challenge to the decaying liberal democratic political tradition which we inherited from the British colonial masters. Yet in fact, the challenge to the liberal democratic tradition was fuelled by both 1972 and 1978 constitutions and then political leadership of the country. 1972 constitution created a supreme parliament with powers vested to the prime minister and 1978 constitution devalued the parliament and created an executive president directly elected from the people’s choice. Both these constitutions had some negative identical characteristics such as abolition of second chamber, acceptance of unitary state, acceptance of a foremost place for one religion and many such similarities.In forming the Liberal Party we had two objectives namely introducing “Liberalism “to the political discourse which was dominated by Nationalism and Socialism and secondly the protection of inherited “Liberal Democratic Tradition.’

A person who is not a “Liberal”, may be a” Liberal Democrat”. In that sense United National Party, Sri Lanka Freedom Party , Lanka Sama Samaja Party , Communist Party of Sri Lanka , All Ceylon Tamil Congress, Tamil Arasu Katchchi before Wadukoddai Conference , Mahajana Eksath Peramuna are and were all liberal democratic political parties. In short these parties believed that political power is captured by popular votes through regular elections. For that state should have universal franchise, a competitive political party system, a unified administrative system, a coherent legal system and a strong media.

Being a developing country in the third world Sri Lanka lacked a developed party system and two major parties were dominated by political families who decided the leadership issue and mostly not the real cabinet but the kitchen cabinet ruled the country.

In the ideological sphere nationalism developed spontaneously since the British period and this nationalism was mixed with Sri Lankan Buddhist views. They claimed the superiority of Sinhala Buddhism and their language. On the other hand ‘Socialists of all hues’ though not revolutionary in the beginning agitated against the existing bourgeoisie. In the seventies socialism in Sri Lanka took the violent revolutionary option with mixed nationalism and in North Tamil nationalism resorted to violent politics.

The intellectuals behind the formation of Liberal Party (Sri Lanka) thought to introduce liberalism to the political discourse of the country which is not a popular political ideology in Sri Lanka. In the western political tradition, nationalism, socialism, social democracy and liberalism are main political ideologies and most of the political parties in Europe are armed with a certain ideology.Read More

Somersault of Medamulana MR beats even ‘Bulti Baba’ sold on pavements: Gives green light to new constitution

(Lanka-e-News -20.Jan.2016, 3.45PM) Medamulana Mahinda Rajapakse has done a sudden political somersault and given the  green light for the determined efforts made by the government of good governance to adopt a new constitution for the country based on the people’s proposals and wishes. The most curious part of Mahinda’s somersault act which beats the somersaults of the ‘bulti babas’ sold on the pavements is , after having enjoyed   the term of presidency with the executive powers twice , and going to abominable and villianous lengths  to transform it into dictatorial powers via the introduction of  the 18 th amendment , now when he is ousted from those powers has expressed  his support to abolish the executive presidency . Of course , nothing better can be expected from such a self seeking machiavellian opportunist.  However , if during the period of the introduction of the new constitution , if any pro Rajapakse  political opportunistic forces are  seeking to obstruct it like how impediments were placed for the 19 th amendment , that is certainly going to turn into  a scourge under the Rajapakse’s green light.  

At the same time the JVP opportunists too  who are fishing in the troubled waters of Rajapakse racism will also have to face a blank wall. Perhaps , Rajapakse must be hoping against hope that by supporting or not opposing the pro Democracy constitution he could remove  the label of dictator that is fastened on him.

Yet , the TNA and opposition leader R. Sambanthan recently said , the support of the ex president is necessary when formulating the new constitution.

While making a  special statement  at the Abayaramaya  , Narahenpita recently , ex president Mahinda Rajapakse who gave the green light , made some announcements …..

''The government has taken initial measures to formulate a new constitution. Since this is going to change the entire  future of  the country , the maximum support of the people must be there.At the 2015 presidential elections , in my manifesto ‘Mahinda Chinthana , the road to win the world’ it is mentioned that measures will be taken to formulate  a new constitution. Earlier on , in 2011 , a parliamentary select committee was appointed chaired by Nimal Siripala De Silva of my government to prepare a report on the amendments that should be made to the constitution and the executive presidency.

In the preliminary proposals presented by the prime minister last Saturday , in its foreword , it was mentioned , in this new proposed constitution  , the main objectives are abolition of the executive presidency and amending the present electoral system .Towards the achievement of these goals , all of us must extend our support. 

The executive presidency has from the beginning been a vexatious issue. Even when this was being established the SLFP mounted its opposition. Hence , when the UNP that introduced the executive presidency is taking steps to bring in amendments to abolish it , we who belong to the SLFP   cannot oppose it. Besides , it is a son of a relative of Late J .R . Jayawardena who was the author and father of this executive presidency   who is now advancing proposals to abolish it.

The president before the remains of Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera , announced and  swore in public he would fully abolish the executive presidency , therefore I thought  the government will abolish it.

I propose that when devolving powers , the establishments that are at the bottom shall be given powers as much as possible.  The people in those areas will get the due powers only if those are devolved to the establishments at village level. Leaders of the two main parties have expressed their views on various occasions. Hence , when the new constitution is being formulated , these views must be taken into account. I also propose that after a new constitution is introduced  , it will be best if an election is held to appoint a new government . ''

---------------------------
by     (2016-01-20 10:18:31)

Rajapaksa Plans a Come Back; Sirisena to Make His Moves

THE VEXED QUESTION OF MR by Rasika Jayakody.

20/01/2016 

Repetition is the soul of politics, at least in Sri Lanka. At various points in the country’s recent political history, political parties have used the same strategies and tactics over and over again, to outsmart their opponents and grab power.

The UPFA dissidents and the SLFP group supporting former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, believe they can regain control of the party by repeating the same old fear-tactics which they adopted to get nomination for Rajapaksa to contest the Parliamentary election on the UPFA ticket. They assume the local government election – which will take place six months behind the scheduled date – will provide the ideal platform for their ‘take-over’ mission.

Rajapaksa Plans a Come Back; Sirisena to Make His Moves by Thavam Ratna

“Sil fabric” case continued

Jan 20, 2016

The Supreme Court ordered the Attorney General to submit a government audit report estimating the loss the government incurred for distributing “sil fabric” for the victory of Mahinda Rajapaksa during the last presidential election.

This order was given when the case filed by the Paffrel to reimburse the loss was summoned today 19th.

Petitioner’s lawyers said the courts, the importance to reimburse the loss incurred by the government for illegally distributing “sil fabric” by abusing the public property act.

Month of March
The petitioner’s lawyers urged the courts to submit the auditor general’s report to estimate the losses and investigate the matter and issue a suitable order.

Executive director of Paffel Rohana Hettiarachchi said the courts accepted the request and issued an order.

State counsel said the auditor report for last year would be issued only in coming March. Therefore after producing a copy to the parliament a copy would be submitted to the courts.

The courts ordered the government to produce the report on May 5th and said that it would consider the report and issue a suitable order.

What’s Wrong With SAITM

By Dhammika Herath –January 20, 2016

Dr. Dhammika Herath

The debate about South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) appears to be heating up, at least at this late hour, with all the stakeholders throwing in their two cents worth. While I do not have any vested interests, except the interest of being a person who benefited from “free education”, let me throw in my two cents.

The Paradox of Opinions

As a preamble to my viewpoint on SAITM, let’s examine some of the arguments put forward by different factions who clearly have their own agendas.

1. The process of admission to SAITM is flawed, students who do not qualify for a basic degree in sciences study Medicine at SAITM. This argument has some validity and credibility, and it will hold ground until all the information is available to all concerned parties.
2. SAITM is a private institution, medical education should not be privatised. This is a recurrent theme, but unrealistic to say the least. While education is not a commodity, whether we like it not, it’s a commodity in a market economy, where everything has a price, including justice. This argument does not hold much ground in its pure sense. But I will explore further some of the questions related to this issue of private institutions.
3. Training at SAITM is sub-par, and was not recognised by the Sri Lanka Medical Council. This is a valid argument, and SLMC has a list of recognised medical colleges as listed and recognised by WHO. There are several medical colleges in the world which are not recognised by WHO or any other country. Interested readers can simply Google or refer to the WHO website as this is public information. Some years ago, the SLMC, after examining the SAITM gave its verdict; SAITM does not qualify to be recognised as an institution since its standards do not meet required criteria. This was open information to everyone who followed this saga closely.
4. SAITM or local private medical schools save valuable foreign exchange. This is the most ludicrous argument for SAITM and we do not need to look far to realise how ridiculous this idea is. SAITM will not prevent students who aspire to become doctors travelling abroad, and getting their medical degrees from for-profit institutions, the quality of which are highly questionable. If we look at the foreign exchange that Sri Lanka lost for some famous deals, like MIG deal, Hedging Deal, Prado deal, these are fine examples of how we lose foreign exchange. Further discussion in this area is not really useful or meaningful in Sri Lanka.
5. SAITM students and students who can afford it have a right to education, including medical education. This argument has apparent validity, at least on face value. We can talk about this right once we are absolutely free, but not in a modern, highly regularised age. Education is based on merits and needs of the country, not on individual aspirations. Definitely not because you can afford it.

What’s Wrong with SAITM?                                        Read More

IGP attempting to cover up Embilipitiya death and protect ASP - attorney

January 20, 2016

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) is attempting to cover up the Embilipitiya incident which resulted in the death of a youth and protect former ASP in charge of Embilipitiya, D.W.C. Dharmaratne, claims the attorney representing the family of the victim.
 
Attorney-at-law Vijitha G. Punchihewa, addressing a press conference in Colombo today, said that since the incident occurred, the Embilipitiya Police as well as several top officers of the Police Department are attempting to justify the incident and protect those responsible.
 
The Police Spokesman has repeatedly stated that the deceased, Sumith Prasanna, was hospitalized due to injuries sustained from jumping off a building. 

“That statement worsened the already tense situation in Embilipitiya,” he charged.
 
He claimed that according to the information they have received, ASP Dharmaratna had previously served under then ASP and current IGP N.K. Illangakoon in his personal security. He stated that back then Dharmaratna was a Sub-Inspector (SI).
 
In the meantime police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara, who according to the attorney was also an obedient underling of the IGP, was selected along with ASP Dharmaratna to undergo a special course abroad under the recommendation of the police chief, he said.
 
That friend is the one who is handling the submission of evidence in the murder inquiry, Punchihewa stated.
 
The attorney said that he believes the IGP wants to cover this up and protect his underling.
 
Shashika Nishamani Munasinghe, the wife of the deceased, speaking at the press conference stated that she witnessed the ASP in question pushing Sumith Prasanna off the top floor of the building.

Petition against Bathiudeen in DC


2016-01-20
A petition was filed by Yunas Lebbe Hameed in the Colombo District Court today seeking a restraining order against Industrial and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiudeen and 14 others to prevent them from appointing a new General Secretary to the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC). Minister Bathiudeen is the leader of the ACMC. (Shehan Chamika Silva)

Pharmacy destroyed in sudden fire

2016-01-19

A sudden fire has erupted at Kadugannawa town yesterday (18) at around 11.10p.m., Police Media Unit told Ceylon Today Online. A pharmacy was completely destroyed in the fire while the roof of another shop has been damaged.

Police have successfully doused the fire with the assistance of Kandy Fire Brigade and residents of the area.

No lives were lost in the fire. The cause for fire is yet to be revealed, Police said.

Kadugannawa Police is carrying out further investigations into the incident.

India pouring money down the drain ! 

Jan 20, 2016

It has been learnt another huge fraud has taken at Ceylon Workers Congress this time selling of 40 TATA City rider Buses donated by government of India to CWC and transferred to a company called Annai Kothai Enterpremier (G. Ltd) formed by on the instructions of General Secretary of CWC and former cabinet Minister Hon. Arumugam Thondaman during Rajapakshe Regime in the name of his grandmother.

On the request of Hon. Arumugam Thondaman whom he met then Indian Prime Minister Hon. Manmohan Singh in the year 2008 was agreed to donate these Buses to CWC to specially transport plantation workers, children to school's in Central and Uva Provinces.

Annai Kothai Enterpremier (G. Ltd) was formed in year 2009 and hilariously Thondaman appointed his daughter Kothai Nachiyar and Vani Sivalingam daughter of Name Sake leader of CWC and close aid of former Minister Basil Rajapakshe whom he lendered rupees 20 million to Muthu Sivalingam during Presidential Elections in 2015 where we highlighted earlier, to this board the other members are R. Yogarajan present Sri Lanka's ambassador to Egypt, Mr. M. Mani Muthu, Mr. Ponniah Sivaraja and Mr. C. Loganathan.

The TATA city rider buses are very popular among Commuters in rural areas specially with school children due to its convenient interior facilities, also these units are specially made for Sri Lankan conditions and easy to maintain.

In the year 2009 april 10th 20 of these buses were handed over to Hon. Arumugam Thondaman at his political residence in Kotagala by then High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H.E Alok Prasad. Then later on another 20 units of these buses delivered to this company and totally it became 40 units.

However our Lanka News web confirms these non of this Buses are not available with CWC or Annai Kothai Enterpremier (G. Ltd) and it has been sold and certain buses are given on good will basis to certain political person's including provincial Councillor's, Pradeshiya Members and some political supporters of Hon. Arumugam Thondaman. 

Also we learnt the persons who using these buses are doing there own business like hiring for weddings, funerals, and specially it was used for the election campaigns as well. Its very sad to note the children of the plantation workers are not in a position to travel to school in their donated buses and no one is to question this unbearable situation where the CWC leaders are really taken the government of India and the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka for a great ride, 

rupees 80 million worth of these buses are totally misused and some of the units are abandoned. 

The Government of India is the biggest donor not only the Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka, but to all the communities including education, cultural, and infrastructure. However the India's effort to upgrade and assist the indian origin plantation workers livelihood is in disarray since the demise of late leader of the CWC and god father of plantation workers Savumya Moorthi Thondaman and late Periyasami Chandrasekeran leader of the up country People's Front Party.

And await how the present High Commissioner of India H.E Y.K Sinha thwarted another big corruption was to take place with regard to the plantation housing on his timely intervention.

Muhannad Halabi: A terrorist to Israel, a hero to his family

Muhannad Halabi-Shuhair Halabi stands on the ruins of her family’s home on 9 January, one day after it was destroyed by Israeli forces.Shadi HatemAPA images

Palestinian youth set up barricades to try to repel invading Israeli forces in Surda on 6 October.

Muhannad SaleemActiveStills

Budour Youssef Hassan-20 January 2016

When Muhannad Halabi stabbed two Israeli men to death and injured a woman and a baby in Jerusalem’s Old City, he started what many Palestinians have called the “intifada of the knives.”

Halabi was shot and killed by Israeli police during the attack in early October last year and the 19-year-old law student was branded a “terrorist” by the media. His parents, however, have a sharply different view: they regard Muhannad as a hero.

“I will always be proud that my son sacrificed his life for the liberation of his homeland,” said his mother Suhair.

In his final posting on Facebook, Muhannad expressed deepanger about the incursions of Israeli settlers into the compound around al-Aqsa mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites. He had just watched a video of a Palestinian woman being arrested by Israeli police at al-Aqsa.

Urging a “revolution,” Muhannad compared Palestine to a battered and tormented orphan who had been forsaken by fellow Arabs.


Muhannad showed his message to his parents before putting it on the Internet. “I was surprised to read it and felt that he meant every word,” said Suhair. The post was written one day before Muhannad carried out his attack.

Wake-up call          Full Story>>>