The Ebola Rape Epidemic No One’s Talking About

When the outbreak hit West Africa, fevers spiked – and so did rates of teenage pregnancy.

BY SEEMA YASMIN-FEBRUARY 2, 2016

MONROVIA, Liberia — When the Ebola epidemic reached its peak in Liberia in September 2014, Tina Williams was 14 years old, five months pregnant, and feverish. She had been raped and abandoned by her boyfriend. Now she lay in bed shivering and praying that she was sick with malaria, not Ebola.

Williams and her baby girl later tested negative for Ebola, but they were Ebola survivors of a different kind. As the virus swept across West Africa infecting nearly 30,000 people, so did another contagion: outbreaks of rape, sexual assault, and violence against women and girls.

While public health workers tallied the number of Ebola-infected patients, girls like Williams who were victims of gender-based violence went uncounted.Only now are we learning that Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone saw a surge in teenage pregnancy likely caused by an increase in the incidence of rape during the epidemic.

In parts of Sierra Leone, the teenage pregnancy rate increased 65 percent during the Ebola epidemic, according to a study by the United Nations Development Program. Data on rape and teenage pregnancy in the region is hard to obtain because of under-reporting. But studies by Plan International andSave the Children documented increases in teenage pregnancy ranging from 10 to 65 percent in Ebola-affected countries.

The surge is no coincidence. Outbreaks of infectious diseases often leave girls and women vulnerable to violence and rape — a result of the civil unrest and instability that epidemics leave in their wake. “This wouldn’t come as a surprise if we thought of epidemics like any other disaster,” said Monica Onyango, a clinical assistant professor of global health at Boston University. “Epidemics are just like a conflict situation. You have a loss of governance; you have chaos and instability; and all of that leaves women vulnerable to gender-based violence.”
                                                                           

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Simple test offers quick diagnosis of potentially deadly prenatal condition

The Congo Red Dot Test, which researchers say can be used to test pregnant women for preeclampsia. (Dan Smith)

By Nicole Kwan-February 04, 2016

Researchers have discovered a simple test used for Alzheimer’s diagnosis is effective at detecting one of the world’s deadliest pregnancy-related conditions, which experts say could have a major impact on worldwide health.

In research presented Thursday at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual pregnancy meeting, the non-invasive Congo Red Dot (CRD) diagnostic test was shown to have an 86 percent accuracy rate in diagnosing preeclampsiain a collaborative study between The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Historically, preeclampsia had been diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy, but researchers said their test could be used across all gestational ages and has been tested with twins as well.

Preeclampsia affects 5 to 8 percent of pregnancies worldwide. While 75 percent of cases are mild, the condition can escalate quickly, especially without treatment. At the most serious, it can develop into eclampsia, affecting brain function, or causing seizures or coma.

For the developing fetus, there is the risk of separation of the placenta from the uterus, pregnancy loss, and poor or premature birth. Babies who are delivered preterm run the risk of long-term health issues such as learning disorders, cerebral palsy, deafness and blindness.

The condition is responsible for about 18 percent of maternal deaths in the United States, and it is, along with other hypertensive disorders, the leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death. According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, by conservative estimates, these disorders are globally responsible for 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths annually.

While preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, these measurable symptoms are also found in other diseases such as hypertension and kidney disease, making it difficult to discern a patient’s diagnosis. Plus, even if a woman had high blood pressure before pregnancy, she’s still at risk for preeclampsia, which could worsen her condition, said first author Dr. Kara Rood, a fellow in the division of maternal-fetal medicine in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center.

The only cure for a pregnant woman is early delivery, after which preeclampsia resolves in the postpartum period. However, the baby is left with all the risks of prematurity.

The CRD test works by mixing a patient’s urine with the red dye and placing it on special paper. If no abnormal proteins are present, the dye sticks to the paper. When abnormalities are present, they attach to the dye and disperse along the paper.

Other diagnostic tests exist, but none are as accurate as the CRD test, Rood said, and many require the mother to give blood, are labor-intensive, have a longer turnaround time, and need more technology to process.

“Ours is really non-invasive since it uses urine, can be done bedside, and takes three minutes to have results read by a nurse,” she told FoxNews.com.

The test’s simple execution, which requires no additional equipment, could have a major impact on global health, especially in remote areas.

“Our hope is that it can be available to all women worldwide to help aid in diagnosing— to not only help decrease maternal mortality, but also infant mortality due to premature delivery,” Rood said.

Rood’s team has been working on the test for the last decade. Initially, Dr. Irina A. Buhimschi, director of the Center for Perinatal Research in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s, identified abnormally or misfolded proteins in the urine of women with preeclampsia. Looking into other diseases with these abnormalities, they discovered it was similar to Alzheimer’s disease. The Congo Red Dot (CRD) test is used at autopsy to identify the abnormal proteins, which led researchers to testing it with preeclampsia. 

Researchers, who partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Saving Lives at Birth, said the exact cost of the test has yet to be determined, but their main goal is to make it as inexpensive as possible. They’re currently working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and hoping to make it available soon, but were unable to provide an estimate. Researchers are also in the process of studying who can administer the test, be it a clinician, a nurse or potentially even the patient herself. 

Researchers said the bench-to-bedside study is especially gratifying, as they seldom see their work applied to patients.

“This is an exciting moment,” Dr. Catalin S. Buhimschi, director of maternal-fetal medicine and vice chair in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Wexner, told FoxNews.com. “It’s a typical example of a bench-to-bedside study.”

SRI LANKA MUST HONOUR ITS PROMISE TO DELIVER AN INTERNATIONALISED JUSTICE PROCESS, SAY TORTURE SURVIVORS

February 3, 2016

The participation of foreign judges is essential if survivors are to place their trust in Sri Lanka’s long-awaited justice process; and they are now placing their hope in the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure that Sri Lanka holds to its promises: these are the messages of a new report published by Freedom from Torture as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights prepares to visit Sri Lanka from 6 February.

“Why Sri Lankan torture survivors want an internationalised justice process” is a collaboration between Sri Lankan survivors of torture, the survivor activist network Survivors Speak OUT and Freedom from Torture.

The torture survivors, all in treatment with Freedom from Torture, insist that international judges and other personnel must be at the heart of ensuring accountability for human rights violations in Sri Lanka, as Sri Lanka agreed in the UN resolution in October 2015. However, in recent weeks, President Siresena has appeared to retreat from that undertaking.

Sonya Sceats, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Freedom from Torture, said:

“It is imperative that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights gets the justice deal back on track. The agreement was struck by the new Sri Lankan government at the UN just a few months ago.

“Such is their despair with the domestic justice system in Sri Lanka that survivors of torture are adamant that they will only support an internationalised process. Those we have been talking to at Freedom from Torture suggest that half the judges should be international and half of the domestic judges should be chosen by the Tamil community.

“Sri Lanka is at a crossroads in the quest for justice for torture and other serious human rights abuses. The new government recognises that accountability is essential to reconciliation and lasting peace. To get this right and deliver stability throughout the country, they must listen to the survivors.”

Freedom from Torture and Survivors Speak OUT are committed to promoting the voices of torture survivors as a source of learning about how torture should be addressed and prevented in the future. Other recommendations made by Sri Lankan torture survivors in the new report include:

• The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights should visit the Tamil-populated areas in the north and east where many violations have taken place and speak directly with local people without military interference;
• Justice and a political settlement for the Tamil people must be delivered in tandem - one must not be used as an excuse for deferring the other;
• “Big fish” – the senior leaders who gave the orders and are responsible for torture and other international crimes - must be investigated and prosecuted, rather than just lower-level perpetrators;
• The justice process must include torture which took place after the end of the civil war in May 2009;
• The safety of victims and witnesses must be assured via a specialist witness protection programme that is sensitive to the needs of torture survivors, including those who suffered sexual torture, and should be run by UN or other international staff, not the Sri Lankan government; and
• There must be redress for survivors of torture and other serious human rights abuses, including access to rehabilitation services and compensation so they can rebuild their lives.

survivor_briefing-final.pdf by Thavam Ratna

What are we celebrating on the 4th Feb – Independence, Inter-dependence or Freedom?

Those of us who commemorate Independence and enjoy Interdependence in the community of nations have a sacred obligation to struggle with those still crying for freedom. May that Day of Freedom for all in Sri Lanka dawn sooner than later!

by S.J.Emmanuel

( February 4, 2016, Berlin, Sri Lanka Guardian) Recently when I made an Independence Day appeal to all the religious leaders of the country to come to the fore and help the present Government to achieve peace and reconciliation on the basis of truth, justice accountability, a good friend of mine alerted me to the absence of the theme freedom in my appeal. In the context of our Independence Day Celebrations today and of the way in which we celebrate, there are many questions overlooked largely by our population and our leaders.

From Colonialism to Independence

On the afternoon of the 4th of Feb. 1948 I stood as a 14years old student of St.Patrick’s College, Jaffna, on the Jaffna Esplanade (presently Durayappah’s Stadium) celebrating the Independence of Ceylon from the British colonial master. Mr. Hudson the then Government Agent in Jaffna, representing the British Government lowered the British union Jack. We all were told that we have become independent from foreigners’ rule. Though we didn’t understand the meaning of it, we enjoyed the little packet of Vadai and Pattis each one of us received and the music and dance on the platform. At college of course we had great European oblate missionaries like Frs. Charles Mathews, Timothy Long, Chovan and my classmates included some Sinhalese too from the deep south. On the pillars of the college were written words “Speak English Only”  and when we were caught speaking in Tamil, a fine of 5 0r 10 cents was imposed! We grew up studying all subjects in English, with only one hour of Tamil.

The British colonials not only built good roads and railways but also left us a good system of education. We are today fortunate that that the then colonial language English has become the world language today. Never did we dream that the British blunder of handing over all the power into the hands of a majoritarian democracy will lead to many decades of conflict and war on this island.

Celebration of the new Powers that be

True we became independent of a colonial rule from the Portuguese, Dutch and the British that lasted nearly 500 years. And the way we commemorate it by an exhibition of the ruling authorities, who are sons and daughters of our own soil, as well as our air, land and sea forces displaying their capabilities, show that we rule ourselves with our own powers and not by foreigners or their forces. We also proudly sing our national anthem and raise our national flag. We have done this so long, almost for 69 years and I still ask the question – to what extent are we an independent people or a nation?

Independence does not pre-empt Inter-dependence

In so far we are all humans on this earth or on this island; we can be truly independent, even as individuals, only to a certain extent, whereby “your independence ends where my nose begins”. No man is an island is a popular saying. Both as individuals and as communities, a country or as a people, we are all inter-dependent. Denying our interdependence on one another is suicidal.

Ceylon, as an independent sovereign country, joined the United Nations as a member and committed itself to mutual rights and obligations, especially to Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed on the 10th of Dec. 1948. When we are in need, natural or man-made, we have received aid in various forms from other countries, including even weapons to combat rebels. With gratitude we accept all forms of aid on the understanding that we use them for the good of all our people. But after receiving the aid, we cannot shun away from the responsibility of rendering an account on the good use of the aid to the donors.

President Rajapakse who loudly acclaimed the help of 20 countries in combatting the LTTE, even today in his message speaks only of “foreign intervention” forgetting the aid he received from foreign powers. When the donors asked questions about the right use of those weapons, he turned away from accountability! What a shame!

Hence inter-dependence is an existential component of our lives and accountability is the underside of that reality. Accountability is demanded, not just by the victims of crimes committed with the granted-weapons, but also demanded in view of the future and well-being even of those who celebrate victories!

Hence Inter-dependence has to be gratefully accepted, responsibly lived and consolidated for future generations.

When can we celebrate Freedom Day in Sri Lanka?

On the background of the above convictions regarding Independence and Interdependence, I raise the important question – are we all free or do we all enjoy freedom in Sri Lanka?

To a certain extent we have many freedoms – and many of us are thankfully enjoying those freedoms. But unfortunately even after many decades of independence from foreign rule, after many decades of enjoying membership and aid from the international community, there is unfortunately and unashamedly a sizable population in this island who are not yet free. They have suffered and struggled for decades for their freedom to be what they are, to enjoy what they are made to be. But the powers that be do not allow them to be free to decide their way of life. The cries of the victims of oppression, injustice have become louder. Even while commemorating Independence Day, and in the company of international representatives, and while many hundreds of Sinhalese are freed from their jails, the Tamil prisoners unjustly suffering for decades are still crying.

Hence while we commemorate Feb4th as gaining back our independence from the colonial masters, let us gratefully and responsibly acknowledge the rights and duties of our inter-independence and move on hopefully and courageously towards the Day of Freedom for all in Sri Lanka. Those of us who commemorate Independence and enjoy Interdependence in the community of nations have a sacred obligation to struggle with those still crying for freedom. May that Day of Freedom for all in Sri Lanka dawn sooner than later

SAITM: Is It A Growing Concern?

By Samandika Saparamadu –February 3, 2016 

Samandika Saparamadu

The private university concept was mooted in the late 1970’s with economic liberalisation policies. It also takes us to the painful traumatic memories of the late 80’s when hundreds of young men were brutally killed. This was during the reign of terror from 1986 to 1990 with the protest against the Private Medical College (PMC), Ragama. This saga of commercialising medical education continued with eight attempts to form Private Medical Colleges (PMC’s) over the last three decades. The lust for mega profits by some unscrupulous local businessmen in exploiting medical education has led to recent controversies and malpractices, which surfaced through reports and news headlines pertaining to the SAITM (South Asian Institute of Technology and Management) racket.

PMCs in Sri Lanka is no longer an issue of economics or health but sociological and political, much more deep rooted indeed. It is an important social determinant of the health of Sri Lankans over the next few decades. I will try to make it succinct to not waste reader’s time.

Status quo

Recently, I was taken aback by online comments, reviews and articles written against public universities and in favour of the PMC. I was curious on why there was so much animosity towards free healthcare system, free education and doctors in Sri Lanka. After some research, I discovered that this is a common problem in every ‘highly sought after’ field with limited opportunities, specially when it’s given on a merit basis! However, the online comments were completely undermining the experiences of my batch-mates during their housemanships (Internships) in Sri Lanka (SL), not too long ago. Fortunately or unfortunately, online comments and posts in general in Sri Lanka do not represent the normal curve. As per “Internet live stats” percentage of population with Internet in Sri Lanka is only 19.9% and internet literacy rate is even less than 20%, as per Department of Census and Statistics. Therefore, it is vital to point out that the online majority hardly represents the opinion of the country’s majority. Nevertheless, there are many socio-economic factors that make people hate doctors in Sri Lanka, and out of which the “Colonial factor” is an important one. It is certainly a topic for another day.

So, it is also crucial to acknowledge that online hate comments are not only about ‘Anti PMC’ sentiments (“No PMC” campaign), which could impose a falsified idea on people as if the campaign is against all private education institutions and students.Read More

We would never give up struggle to take over public funds robbed by fraudsters

WEDNESDAY, 03 FEBRUARY 2016

“It is not necessary to conceal the mediation of the JVP to punish fraudsters and the corrupt. The JVP would take all necessary measures to take fraudsters who plundered public money and take back the public money they stole from the people,” said the Leader of the JVP Parliamentarian Anura Dissanayaka speaking at a press conference held at the head office of the JVP at Pelawatta today (3rd).

Kalutara District JVP Parliamentarian Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa too was present.

Speaking at the press conference the Leader of the JVP said, “After Yoshitha Rajapaksa was arrested and remanded the JVP is being criticized and blamed by various quarters. The JVP carried out a massive dialogue in the country regarding stealing, wasting and misuse of people’s money in billions during the previous regime. After the presidential election on 8th January, 2015 the JVP filed complaints regarding large scale fraudsters who plundered billions of public money to the FCID, CID, Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC), Bribery Commission and all relevant institutions. When investigations were not done properly we took the matter to Parliament and took measures to raise the matter effectively. WE did not stop there – we took to the street s. Hence, it is not necessary to conceal the mediation of the JVP to punish fraudsters and the corrupt. The JVP would take all necessary measures to take fraudsters who plundered public money and take back the public money they stole from the people.

Whose assets did these fraudsters steal? It is the assets of the people. This plunder is not an issue like stealing a bunch of plantains. It is not like Chamal Rajapaksa taking over of a land belonging to Mahinda Rajapaksa by producing a bogus deed. It is not an issue within a family or between several people.   These fraudsters stole or wasted people’s assets. It is money allotted to buy medicines for hospitals on behalf of the people, money that could have used to build a school for the education of our children. All these monies belong to the Treasury. Money collected by taxing dhal or sugar and other commodities. Money paid as tax by people to the Treasury. Also, money that should have gone to the Treasury but was stopped midway through various ‘deals’. Hence, we have a just right to bring these fraudsters before the law. Does any citizen in the country say that legal action should not be taken against these fraudsters? As such, without any difference, without considering whether they are for Rajapaksas or not, without any differences all these fraudsters who stole people’s money should be punished. The JVP would be in the forefront of this just struggle. There are two groups that are on the side of thieves. Either they have plundered public money or those who expect to steal public money. Except these two groups all other citizens should come to the forefront of the struggle to bring fraudsters before the law.

Some interpret these arrests as political revenge. Rajapaksa and his associates are trying to build this opinion. If they look back at the past 10 years they themselves could see what political revenges are. Sripathy Sooriarachchi was a leading figure in the struggle to make Mahinda Rajapaksa the President. He was a deputy minister of that government. However, he resigns from the government on 9th February, 2007. He was arrested on 17th March and was imprisoned. These are political witch hunts. Mr. Sarath Fonseka contests the Presidential election on 26th January, 2010. Within two weeks a group of Army officers arrest him. He was a civilian retired from Army service. The Army had no right to arrest him. His Secretary Senaka de Silva too was abducted by the Army. At the time both of them did not have any charges against them. They were abducted by Army battalions on official orders from Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. These are called political witch hunts. A large number of Army captains who were suspected of supporting Sarath Fonseka were sacked. Then Chief Justice Ms. Shirani Bandaranayake gave an order on 31st October, 2012 regarding ‘Divi Neguma’ Act. By 2nd November a charge sheet against her was presented to parliament. By 23rd an investigations was held against her and on 12th January she was sacked from her post. The judges for this ‘case’ were the likes of Wimal Weerawansas. They are the real political witch hunts. Hence, what is happening now are not political witch hunts but punishing fraudsters.

As a result of Avant Garde deal a minister of the government had to resign. There are accusations against several more ministers regarding Avant Garde deal. This government protects fraudsters and the corrupt instead of punishing them. Shiranthi Rajapaksa was summoned to FCID in connection with a financial fraud. Mahinda Rajapaksa had discussions with Ranil and got down FCID officers to where Shiranthi was. Weerawansa was arrested regarding a passport fraud incident. A person arrested for such an offence could be remanded for at least two weeks. However, Mahinda Rajapaksa talked to Ranil and Maithri and got Wimal Weerawansa released. He was also given a new passport. It has been confirmed that the government protects fraudsters and the corrupt.

FCID has completed investigations regarding 35 files. Despite sending the 35 files to the Attorney General, legal matters have been carried out regarding 4 files only. Legal matters have not been completed regarding more than 30 files as Attorney General has not taken decisions. As such, there has not been any political revenge. Investigations are being carried out regarding frauds and corruption. The police had presented information to Kaduwela Courts at more than 20 instances before Yoshitha Rajapaksa was arrested. Hence the arrest is the result of the legal process taken by the judiciary and the police. It is a legal process carried out by the police under power s it has through the Constitution, Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Act.

Now Mahinda Rajapaksa says Carlton Sports Network (CSN) too doesn’t belong to Rajapaksas. If Carlton Pre School belongs to Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Carlton House belongs to Mahinda Rajapaksa and Carlton Rugby belongs to Namal Rajapaksa, how is that Carlton Television Network doesn’t belong to Rajapaksas? It is a fact everybody in the country knows. ‘Carlton’ is Rajapaksas’ brand name. Documents have proved the owner of Carlton TV Network. There are only two questions regarding this Carlton incident. One is how was the fund of Rs.234 million used to launch the CSN channel earned and the other is where did the remaining money in addition to money sent from Singapore come from. We ask Mr. Rajapaksa to say how the money was earned and save his son. How the money was earned cannot be said, if the money is not from Mahinda’s or Yoshitha’s salaries. If it is not the income of Medamulana Walauwwa it should be money belonging to the Treasury. Then it is public money. Why shouldn’t those who robbed public money be punished? According to Money Laundering Act this money could be taken over. Several more investigations are linked to this deal. Presidential Secretariat has paid money for the building of CSN and its staff. Hence, they have misused public assets. As such, investigations could go forward under Public Property Act as well. Also the TV channel has used equipment owned by the state; in importing goods it has cheated Customs. Hence, there are more than enough reasons to take investigations forward. As such, Rajapaksas need not cry, moan or lean against walls.

The JVP would never give up the struggle to take over public assets robbed by fraudsters. This is an issue regarding assets of our people in this country. Only villainous citizens say fraudsters should not be arrested. We totally contribute to the process of arresting fraudsters. That struggle cannot be reversed by mudslinging, threats or tears of fraudsters, their lackeys and the corrupt.”

The veil and the ‘Arabanisation’ of Lankan Muslims



2016-02-03
Girls too young to understand the essence of religion adorn the Nikab. Some forced due to cultural imposition, and others too young to know why. Madrasas spread across the island ignore history, art culture, literature and theology which form the core of religious education. Instead the focus is on rituals and taboos. Kattankudy, in the East, is but one example of cultural alienation and segregation.The effects of the alienation and archaic practices which the majority of Muslims in Sri Lanka are against and don’t adhere to have to face, day in and day out. Some 36 Muslims have left to fight for the IS (Islamic State), and we wonder why?


Following the opinion piece titled ‘ Sinhaley, Muslims and Fascim’ the response from the Sri Lankan Muslims has been overwhelming. Many have written to say that their fears were exactly the same as penned down and their oppositions were no different. Many others have written in to say that they have been left helpless and are merely bystanders witnessing the usurpation of a once vibrant culture, unique to Sri Lankan Muslims.However there has been a backlash of sorts.On the one hand for which the crux stems from the reasoning given behind the face veil, a garment alien to Sri Lankan and South East Asian culture and its practices.A symbol of the radicalism among Sri Lankan Muslims. And on the other from those who espouse their fascist ‘Sinhaley’ agenda.  They are but two sides of the same coin.  For the purpose of this article, the focus will be on the former. I am inclined to believe that the many who adorn the face veil and those who justify the wearing of such have based their reasoning on a practice that goes beyond the realms of logic and reasoning. I am aware that rationality would not prevail within their minds. The essay therefore is to provide the majority of Muslims in Sri Lanka a grounding through which they could withstand any further escalation of radicalism. 

I understand that the dichotomy between the ‘moderates’ and the ‘extremist’ when faced with an external threat, could cause division and dilution. However, I believe it is imperative that the moderates of the minority quell the extremism within first because one form of extremism is always fuel to the other. 
                                                             Read More...

A 2500 year-old Culture that was!

• by Sharmini Serasinghe 
• - on 02/03/2016 

Featured image courtesy AFP

The current wave of Sinhala-Buddhist supremacism, and attempts to establish a ‘Sinhala-Buddhist Raj’ in Sri Lanka, if left unchecked will eventually lead to fragmentation of Sri Lanka into separate states of minorities. It may not happen in the immediate future, but it’s a reality staring us in the face.

With the military defeat of the LTTE in 2009 Lankans as a people, were hardly afforded the chance to breathe a sigh of relief, before Sinhala-Buddhist extremists, in the form of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Sinhala Ravaya (SR) and Ravana Balaya (RB) emerged, waving the flag of Sinhala-Buddhist supremacism, in the faces of the others.

Instead of nipping this sociological scourge in the bud, the then political administration gave succour to it. The endgame was to be, to juxtapose the majority Buddhists and the minority communities of this land, and classify the latter, as inferior. This caused and continues to cause, irreparable damage to the process of peace and reconciliation in post-war Sri Lanka.

The well-orchestrated Aluthgama riots by these extremists against Muslims in June 2014 bore, all the hallmarks of the dark days of the July 1983 riots targeting Tamils, but, on a smaller scale. In both instances, the law enforcement authorities looked on, while the carnage took places under their very noses. Why?

With the change of political regimes in January 2015, many of us heaved a sigh of relief for different reasons. The minorities I’m sure did so, hoping for a final peace, under a more inclusive administration.

For a while, the saffron robed brigades like the BBS it seemed, had been reined in and silenced. But then, along came a new saffron robed player into the game, a clone of Gnanasara and his BBS; Yakkalamulle Pawara and hisSinhale Jathika Balamuluwa, claiming to “safeguard the identity of the Sinhala people, and to regenerate the supremacy and pride of the Sinhala people”.

The lower-middle class Sinhala-Buddhist is a vulnerable customer, in the marketplace of such supremacist politics today. This, underprivileged class of people who are alas in the majority, while struggling to make ends meet, amidst the spiraling cost of living, become easily convincible victims, of the saffron robed, fanning patriotic and supremacist fantasies, in their faces.

To excite these gullible, fantastic tales contained in the Mahavamsa, and the superiority of a 2500 year-old culture, the remnants of which today, stand as archeological ruins and edifices, (much like the morals of the heirs to this ‘culture’), are upheld as the iconic achievements of the ultimate human race- the Sinhala-Buddhists. How this supreme race has failed in recent times, to live up to this lofty ‘culture’ is never spoken of.

Hosannas on Sri Lanka’s 2500-year old culture, has been one man’s meat and another man’s poison, since independence. Whenever a Sinhalese with an inferiority complex coupled with a racist mindset finds himself stumped, this much hackneyed theme of a 2500-year old culture, and what our great kings of yore achieved, are brought to play. But, no reference is made to what the Sinhalese have achieved and contributed to perpetuate this grandiose culture since independence.

While the early generations of this ‘lion-blooded race’, didn’t need foreign aid and assistance to build what they did, today, their decedents are unable to construct even a road, without crying out for foreign help.

Talk about empty vessels making the most noise!

I recall, as an impressionable teenager, when Sri Lanka’s first Executive President J.R. Jayawardene, made his first state visit to the USA, during Ronald Reagan’s tenure as President. In his televised address on the South Lawn of the White House, JRJ casting aside his noblesse oblige, referred to the United States as “a country with ‘only’ a 200-year old history, while Sri Lanka’s was over 2500 years old”!

This ‘casual’ or ‘calculated’ remark, (with JRJ one never knew) has remained with me to date. To me even as a child, this totally unsavoury remark, reeked of an acute inferiority complex, and I couldn’t help but feel, utterly embarrassed on his behalf. Was he, as the leader of a tiny drop in the Indian Ocean, which most Americans would not have known existed, trying to feel superior, in this superpower?

For most of us Sri Lankans, we have heard this old-hat too often, and therefore, holds no water. But to a foreigner hearing these words, “Sri Lanka’s 2500-year old culture” and seeing for themselves, how this great culture has shaped this country’s fortunes/misfortunes, it must be truly mindboggling!

Perhaps the moral lows we have sunk to, as a people of this ‘cultured land’, will not be so stark, if the trumpets of its glorious past, are not blown so loud!

What are those today, crowing about this glorious and ancient culture trying to prove, when the very heirs to this ‘culture’ stand has beacons of miserable failure, in upholding the morals and ideals of such?

Or to them, does ‘culture’ mean mere, archaeological ruins and edifices only?

Which Is blacker? Dulanjalee’s Kettle Or Mahinda’s Pot?

By Sarath De Alwis –February 3, 2016

Sarath de Alwis

These are days when the Russian novel is compulsory reading. The three principal works that come to mind are War & Peace followed by Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment.

This essay is about a ‘Cherry Orchard’ where many trees were felled and no one talks about it even in these enlightened days of good governance.

To begin with I must inform the readers something immensely important and rivetingly relevant to our current concerns on reforms in public life and governance. ‘The greatest trick the Devil pulled was convincing the world there was only one of him.’ Mahinda Rajapaksa is not the only villain in town.

The aphorism “the pot calling the kettle black” is found in many languages and many cultures. It targets those who accuse others of a failing that they themselves are also guilty of. The Chinese use a different idiom to stress the same truism – A chicken can’t see its own back.

I crave the indulgence of the readers. Gallantry compels me to assign the kettle to the lady and the pot to the gentleman. However the Chicken in the Chinese equivalent pauses no such problem.

The daughter of President Premadasa Ms. Dulanjalee Jayakody addressing her latest missive under her maiden name informs former President Mahinda Rajapaksa that she and her brother never even imagined of abusing their positions when their father was the executive president. With remarkable self-possession she informs the former President and the general public how the two siblings conducted themselves when their father was the supreme law giver of our then dysfunctional democracy.
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Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Charles Anthony Prabhakaran – Upul Joseph Fernando

Yoshitha

( Prabhakaran with Charles Anthony)

03/02/2016

A glance at a decade in the past records that Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha joined the Sri Lanka Navy in December 2006. When Yoshitha joined the Navy, Mahinda proudly announced that unlike other world leaders, he had given his son to fight the war to protect the country. The Maha Sangha was full of praise for Mahinda hailing him as a true patriot. When Mahinda gave his son to the Navy, Prabhakaran’s son, Charles Anthony was already fighting the war against the Sri Lankan troops in the jungles of Vanni. Prabhakaran put his son into action when Mahinda launched a do or die battle following the breakdown in peace talks through Norway mediation. It was reported that Charles Anthony rendered yeoman service to the LTTE being in charge of LTTE air strikes.

According to a recent confession by Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP, Charles Anthony had spoken to KP and had requested him to take his father, mother, sister and the younger brother to a safe location overseas. Charles Anthony had reported to KP that his (Charles Anthony’s) father, Prabhakaran had turned down repeated requests by him (Charles Anthony) to leave the North and seek safety overseas. However, Prabhakaran’s determination to stay in the battlefield in the face of defeat with his son Charles Anthony fighting the war demonstrated the commitment of Prabhakaran to his organization. Finally, the military found the body of Charles Anthony killed in the war.
In contrast, Mahinda used the issue of giving Yoshitha to the Navy for political gains. Yoshitha was never sacrificed to fight the war to save the country. The whereabouts of Yoshitha during the war was unknown. There was no sign or indication that Yoshitha ever stepped into the territory of the war. After the Maithri-Ranil Government was set up, a three-member committee was appointed to inquire as to what Yoshitha did during that period. When the findings of that committee are analyzed or scrutinized closely, it is clear that Prabahakaran though being a terrorist leader had not betrayed his community. Contrary to the stand of Prabhakaran, Mahinda’s bogus patriotism is crystal clear when the findings of that committee are read.

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Wimal in a fury – growl at journalists

TUESDAY, 02 FEBRUARY 2016

Unable to answer questions posed by journalists at a media conference held yesterday (1st) by the Mahinda faction that calls themselves the common opposition, Wimal Weerawansa has, in a stern voice, ordered  journalists to stop asking questions.

Wimal Weerawansa had come down to the low level of hinting at a journalist’s physical appearance. This is at a time when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in Parliament, reprimanded the media saying they were helping to arouse communalism.

Mahinda associates had attempted to ask people to rise against the government saying a political witch hunt is being carried out against Yohitha Rajapaksa, who has been arrested on 7 charges including violating Money Laundering Act and has been remanded and other members of Rajapaksa family.

The journalists have asked questions in such a background. Among the limited number of Mahinda associates who had participated were Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Bandula Gunawardene, Dallas Alahapperuma, Dinesh Gunawardene, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, C.B. Ratnayaka, Rohitha Abeygunawardene, Gamini Lokuge, S.M. Chandrasena and Tissa Vitharana.

Sorry plight of SLT and Mobitel ! IDD earnings drop by 50% : president’s bro via ‘call termination’ gobbles up in millions

(Lanka-e-News -03.Jan.2016, 9.00PM) Kumarasinghe Sirisena the chairman of SLT and younger brother of president has lined his pockets by siphoning off the revenue  of Rs. 2 million to 3 million  per day of the SLT via the ‘Call termination business’ into his pockets, based on copious and cogent evidence which substantiate the accusation.

One clear evidence bearing testimony to this accusation is , the SLT that was earning on 30 million minutes on IDD calls before Kumarasinghe became its chairman dwindling to 17 million minutes after Kumarasinghe’s advent to the SLT . That is the business has dropped by as huge as 43 % !  

The Mobitel Co. which also comes under the purview of Kumarasinghe is also in a sorry plight,  much worse – the business drop is as huge as over 50 %!

Though  new international call changes  and their usage could engender some losses , this monumental loss is impossible under any circumstances , because the international minutes call usage  has not declined this steeply in respect of other international telecom  companies. This is because the international call business of SLT and Mobitel having been  entrusted to wheeler dealers in the name of ‘ call termination business.’ There is strong evidence in support of this accusation.

Before the president’s younger brother Kumarasinghe Sirisena forcibly took over the post of chairman SLT , during the Rajapakse era , Namal Rajapakse was paid a sum of Rs. one million per day to divert  the ‘Call termination business’ into the hands of wheeler dealers. But that time , the IDD calls usage in  minutes  did not decline by so many millions of minutes as at present. This is clear further evidence that the present wheeler dealers are  racketing and earning two or three fold even more  than the Namal Rajapakse  ‘Call termination’ business culprits. The inference is : If Namal was paid Rs. 1 million per day , now , president’s younger brother is being paid  two or three fold more than that now.

If the Call termination business is to be carried out ,a sub contract to sell international calls on wholesale has to be signed with the Telecom or Mobitel Co. In the past that was secured via the E I technology . Through  that 30 calls could be simultaneously obtained via one E 1 line .But under the new SIP technology there are facilities to obtain a large number of calls at once.

What a   wheeler dealer who is involved in the call  termination racket does is he takes  the calls using this facility , and on the sly without the knowledge of the Telecom and Mobitel , pockets the entire money collected. Though these rackets can be trapped and equipments as well as teams are available for that , the president’s brother Kumarasinghe has de activated all those  equipments and that division. Obviously this is to give protection to his wheeler dealers and to allow them to carry on the rackets without let or hindrance. 

During the Rajapakse era  as this racket was on going and  this was operated by Namal Rajapakse , Thusitha Haloluwa and Krishantha Cooray of Director board of SLT under the government of good governance agitated for the removal of Ranjith Roobasinghe of the Mobitel board because there was room for him to persist in  his perfidious activities . (His frauds and rackets are already under investigation at the FCID and CID !) . Yet , the president and his younger brother are together turning a blind eye .

Finally , instead of ridding the Institution of the rogue, Halloluwa and Cooray who demanded the clean up were removed. Later when the cat was out of the bag  Roobasinghe was dismissed  from the post of Director SLT and appointed to the Telecom Campus of SLT. Since president’s brother is the chairman of SLT and Mobitel , this dismissal of Roobasinghe  is to say the least most fraudulent. That is dismissing Roobasinghe from one post only to  appoint him  to another at the same time. 

It is hard to believe that out of the huge amounts of monies gobbled up by Kumarasinghe , a portion of it does not line the pockets of president Maithripala going by the monumental efforts made by the latter to whitewash the glaring frauds and corruption of Kumarasinghe his younger brother .  

It is not known whether minister Harin is pretending not to know even after knowing well of these massive illicit collections , and since  the president’s brother is acting by passing the minister , the latter too is unable to do anything .
 

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by     (2016-02-03 15:37:50)